The passing of Lee Kuan Yew may NOT be a blessing for Singapore
October 2nd, 2010 | 
Author: I read with mixed feelings the comments posted in 2 threads, mainly: No updates on Lee Kuan Yew’s condition as netizens “rejoice” and MM Lee Kuan Yew admitted to SGH for chest infection.
Lee Kuan Yew
Among the hundreds of comments posted, more than 60% of them are curses and wishes for Lee Kuan Yew to literally “die” (touch wood) while the remaining ones are appeals to the 60% to be logical and considerate towards the many good things that he (LKY) has done for Singapore. Some even cite humanatarian and religious grounds that forbids the cursing of someone to death, among other things.
As someone from the system and having left Singapore many many moons ago, I must emphasise that I DO understand the frustrations and helplessness many Singaporeans are feeling now towards the ruling party because that was the main reason why many (me included) choose to retire early and leave Singapore for good.
It is therefore understandable that these 60% would want Lee Kuan Yew dead in the believe that it would solve many of the problems Singaporeans like themselves are facing.
Unfortunately that is not the solution as I see it for Singapore. Infact, it may even be worst for Singapore and I will enclose only 2 of the many reasons (which I can write about) for discussion here and leave the rest to the many learned readers to carry forward.
1. An internal power struggle may cause the PAP to IMPLODE and split the party into many factions , which is not good for any organisation. Lee Hsein Loong is not exactly a befitting leader as many Singaporeans would agree and with Lee Kuan Yew gone, many in the party may not want to see him remain as Prime Minister. Even brothers in a family don’t agree with each, not to mention a political party with more than 100s of members. Does Singaporeans want a ruling party that disagree among themselves everyday to rule them?
2. Lee Kuan Yew without doubt is a very experience politician (emphasis on politician) and is shrewd, cunning and resouceful, a needed requirement to survive in politics. How many existing MPs in Singapore can claim to be near his calibre or of his calibre?
With the passing of and resignation of many old guards from the PAP camp, NONE of the existing batch of MPs is in my opinion, worthy of being called a “politician” in its true intended meaning and worth. The present batch of young MPs are, in the words of many who were in the system “no standard” , who will never survive in politics without Lee Kuan Yew to lead them and tell them what to do.
While having business dinner with a few city officials from NanJing recently (Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu Province – China), my partner and I overheard some chinese official’s casual opinion of Singapore’s MPs as “freshbies” (新手) and “CaiNiao” (菜鸟) that cannot even “stand up” to a County Police Chief (派出所长), the equivalent in appointment to an OC of NPP in Singapore. Bluntly put, the County Police Chief can twist these “freshbies” MPs around their fingers and take them a round the world trip without the MPs even realising what had happened.
What I am trying to put forth by including the above is that most officials in China are VERY EXPERIENCED politicians and Singapore MPs with the exception of Lee Kuan Yew, is no match for them (which I use as a comparison and not intended to belitted Singapore MPs). Even Lee Kuan Yew’s lead mission to SuZhou got “burnt” many moons ago, do you think any of the younger MPs could have done better?
These young MPs are educationally rich with their impressive credentials but are they equally street-smart as their counterparts from around the world? These young MPs can deal with local Singaporeans by their spins, wayangs and twisted laws but can they handle the more experienced true politicians from other countries when it comes to international affairs?
So, will Singapore be any better off being lead by these young and politically inexperienced MPs with the passing of Lee Kuan Yew?
Forecaster Extraordinarie II
P/S: This article is not intended to examine what causes the present sorry state of affairs that Singapore is in but what Singapore will be post Lee Kuan Yew.
Posted in 
NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS IF YOUR NOT FROM SINGAPORE. GET THE **** OUT, QUITTER!!!!!!11
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‘The PAP may implode and result in an internal power struggle which split the party apart, which is not good for any organisation.’
you are assuming as if Singapore government is like the communist government in China which their leader play politics in a game of chess, where one wrong move result in their downfall. Our minister are all millionaire happy with their lot, just don do anything stupid, they can be minister until retirement and keep their pay check. What for they fight against LHL or each other? when LKY join his wife, life in singapore still go on.
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Good article.
I would like to say that the PAP regime will become very weak when MM goes. PM Lee is definitely not capable as a leader. SM Goh will be blatantly ignored by Singaporeans. There will be almost chaos but it will be for the good of people’s power to take new ground, at least for one’s in a long time we will see CHANGE.
There are many real dedicated leaders in Singapore who are more capable compare to the LEE family and PAP regime but they do not want to get into politics for fear of losing everything they built.
I for one is not afraid of the issue in the article but excited and looking forward to the day we make the CHANGE and see new blood, new leaders and a new government.
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Dear Forecaster Extraordinarie II,
I feel that you are overestimating the PAP whilst underestimating the Oppositions. I see 95% of the PAP ministers/MPs as good as a useless bunch of self serving, ball lickers who can’t even debate intellectually. So, who could do worse than these bunch of academically talented but cluessless, unworldly, inept fools?
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To STFU,
Too bad. You are typical of Singaporeans that had been brought up by the PAP regime. You are either unable to accept constructive criticism or like the Minister – “We are deaf to all criticism”
If you are a Singaporean, you would wish to hear what others say. Only the PAP lackeys say what the Leaders want to hear. Most Singaporeans on the ground felt left out by the Leeregime.
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@FullTimeMom
Thank you for your comment but please take note that this article makes no mention of the opposition party who are NOT the ruling party at this moment in time.
But if they do get voted into parliment, I am sure they will out perform a LOT of the present “young MPs” which I opined as [“no standard” who will never survive in politics without Lee Kuan Yew to lead them.]
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Now, whose fault is it for not building a team of street smart Strong Ministers ? Answer – The ruling party, PAP
With a Dictator, MM Lee how far can any individual PAP Minister develops himself/ herself to be street smart ?
All the ruling party need is “ELITE LOYAL AND OBEDIENT PUPPETS” lured by money to go into politics and not due to compassion for the Native Singaporeans.
In the past, there were many Strong Oppositions with compassion for the Native Singaporeans were “SUED” and “LOCKED UP” without trial under ISA. Threaten/beaten up/blacklisted when they attempt to enter politics.
These group of oppositions if allowed to enter politics could have been very strong and street smart Ministers for Singapore today.
So now, my Native Singaporeans, do you want compassionate Oppositions who are willing to risk their lives to fight for your rights for a better tommorow or highly paid PAP puppets to continue ruin your lives ?
IT IS YOUR PICK this coming GE !
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Dear Forecaster Extraordinarie II,
If that’s the case, all the more we should celebrate the in-fighting among the self-serving, greedy PAP ministers/MPs, so that the whole party will crumble, thus making way for the Oppositions!
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@FullTimeMom, IF the party do IMPLODE and parliment is dissolved making ways for better and able opposition to enter politics, this is of course the betterest outcome.
Having said that, WHAT IF the party DON’T implode and Sinkapore is left in the hands of the “academically talented but cluessless, unworldly, inept fools”?
@Whose fault of not building strong ministers for Singapore?:
This is also one of the reasons for the politically-starved and inexperienced MPs that Sinkapore has right now but it is the point of discussion in this article.
I have kept the article short to invite discussion and exchanges from readers instead of writing a long-winded article covering everything making it needless to discuss anything any further.
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mFART is next.
Times up. sudah waktunya kamu pergi ke NERAKA.
mFART must Mati
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Dear Forecaster Extraordinarie II,
Seriously how bad can the situation be, considering that many Sporeans are already in deep shiit, thanks to the PAP policies?
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@FullTimeMom, like I said, IF the party don’t implode, then Sinkapore will be left in the hands of those “academically talented but cluessless, unworldly, inept fools” which knows only how to enrich themselves but have completely no idea how a country is supposed to be run.
If today in Singapore is hell, you ain’t seen nothing yet if these fools were to run the country.
Picture gahmental departments with no idea what the left and right hand is doing or they simply cannot agree with each other and NO ONE can make ANY decision or call the shots.
Picture Sinkapore’s FA Millister were to enter a talk with China on FTA only to be tekan and tekan by a local small fly county chief?
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I agree that the present lot of ministers and MPs are good-for-nothing. The PAP old guards are a class much much higher than these stupid lot of self-serving ministers and MPs. With MM’s wife gone, and MM next, I really worry about Singapore, but if some good PAP members or opposition politician can take over, there is still some hope.
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PAP will not implode into power struggle as you made it out to be.
Like any other proper self-government organisation, the party has a central executive body to exert control over any wayward member.
In case, will any minister or senior civil servant want to rock the boat over their million $ salary?
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Dear FE II,
Most of the economy is controlled by the GICs/Temasek Holdings,,,benefits going only to a handful of self proclaimed elites/self serving PAP cronies…the average Ahmad, Bala, Ah Seng and John still have to toil the soil for peanuts, which btw have been increasing taken away by the foreign trash (again, thanks to the PAP). So, even if PAP/GICs/Temasek Holdings get screwed in future, the average Ahmad, Bala, Ah Seng and John will not suffer any much more than they are already suffering today. In fact, its the PAP self proclaimed elites and cronies that will suffer greatly should they screw up the economy further in the future!
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The reason why there aren’t any MPs that can match up to MM lee’s brains is because of what our system produce.
If the MPs are incompetent, it’s what PAP picked. I’m sure MM lee has planned ahead by tens of years to come for keeping Singapore under PAP.
If there are really competent MPs, they might have just fought for power amongst themselves or even with the Lees in PAP long ago.
This has not happened and will not happen because everyone of the MPs picked are just for show. Smart, educated, and also quiet, obedient. Remember that they are picked out by PAP and not voted in by us.
The passing of Mr Lee might just force the party to move on its own and in a new direction, which may be for the worse or for the better. I think the main concern now is if Mr lee’s son is left to make the big descisions, we might really wind up dead before an MP wrestles for power with him.
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All Singaporeans united as one and vote all these dogs out !!!
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FE II has a point. The younger MPs and minsters are nowhere near the calibre of LKY. For better or for worse, LKY is an adept politician. The current generation are merely yes-men.
What happens when the yes-men have no one to answer “yes” to? Will each individual’s private agenda be revealed?
Bear in mind that the passing of LKY is not an IF but a WHEN question. We must be prepared because the chances of LKY dying is 100%.
Abdul Malik
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If Lee goes, China will takeover Singapore, many chinese FT’s, strategically positioned in various parts of Singapore, will automatically change into their army uniforms and wait for instruction from the ‘top’.
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There are many hardened politicians in Singapore – just maybe not among the technocrats of the PAP. These will come forward when the time comes and we shall see a good contest of ideas. May the best man or woman win
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This is a stupid article.
It is like saying, adulthood is bad, therefore I should never grow up.
His passing away is a fact.
We will thrive.
Look at hk. everybody thinks things will worsen when China take over.
What happens now?
HK needs China.
We must have faith in the future and the current state of affairs in s’pore is NOT acceptable.
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@FullTimeMom, what you say is so true and GIC and TH will have minimal impact on the average Sinkaporeans as long as they don’t go broke, isn’t it? What about the policies implemented AFTER the passing of LKY by the bunch of “academically talented but cluessless, unworldly, inept fools”?
@4sg who said: Like any other proper self-government organisation, the party has a central executive body to exert control over any wayward member.
And the PAP executive committee is headed by WHO? And do you think that WHO is befitting of a leader that will command respect and the party members will listen to?
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This writer is again using the FEAR factor — without LKY Singaporeans wouldn’t survive!!!!!! The writer is another BASTARD of the century.
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I agree with the author, the passing of the Father would result in a temporary upheaval of society, but as a country Singapore would emerge from the upheaval a stronger nation.
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Taken over by china is better than taken over by Malaysia or Indonesia.
Look at Hong Kong, still doing well.
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Readers please, this is a discussion piece, so each is entitled to his or her own opinion and is intended to encourage sharing of such opinion on the FACT that LKY will pass, what happens next.
Whatever I wrote is of course NOT conclusive of what will happen if LKY goes passing and you are entitled to share your OPINION with eberyone here.
With the exception of MPs which TECHNICALLY only formulate policies and rubberstamp, most of the work are done by PERMANENT SCECRETARIES which in my opinion are more important than MPs. To me, MPs are merely name sake and formality appointments.
In my article, my point of contention is: IF LKY goes passing AND the Pailiment is left in the hands of the inept fools, then Sinkapore will be in deeper shit.
BUT if the party explode and Sinkapore calles for an Election, changes is in place and surely for the better.
Plainly put, leaving Sinkapore in the hands of these bunch of clueless fools after LKY’s passing is BAD for Sinkapore. Hope this clarify.
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Only stupid people would buy into these hollow fear-mongering. Is one to assume that only only fart and his so-called compatriots can run this red dot of an island?
It appears so cos one is made to believe so – we do not have a free and independent media excepting what is propagated and choerograhped lah.
Wake up and unlearn the idiocy of this insidious one-party system lor.
Otherwise, it is going to get not better but worse.
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Dear FE II,
Wrt to PAP policies: HDB – screwed up, CPF – screwed up, Immigration – screwed up, Road & Transportation – screwed up, Drainage system – screwed up, Freedom of Speech – screwed up,,,, what other things have the PAP not screwed up?
So, how many more screw ups can there be if the tyrant kicks the bucket when most things are already screwd up as of today?
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Ah, does this mean we’re gonna import politicians from China? Don’t blame the young freshbies for them being inexperienced, it’s not like they were given any opportunities. How to be street smart when you are ridiculed when you’re not a bookworm!
Let’s learn the China national anthemzxzx!
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LKY have failed miserably. He is self serving . That is why he placed these technocrats as ministers so that he can groom his son as PM. Therefore, LKY is just as inept as the current young batch. LKY led Suzhou lost billions, TH(ho ching) and GIC ( chairman LKY) also lost billions in many investments, Citi, Merrill Lynch, UBS, Shin Corp..
By placing these technocrats as Ministers only show that LKY is inept but the main agenda is to groom his son. The fact LKY have only prepared for his family and cronies to take over high positions shows that it is a very corrupt system. Unwinding of bad pocilie which serve only one family will takes years.
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stupid article. so what should we do? make sure LKY don’t die? what “internal power struggle”? our highly-paid MPs and Ministers and Top Civil Servants are happy with their salaries and houses and have NEVER involved themselves with any power struggle at all. they don’t even have the experience of political debate let alone know how to struggle for power. they will just go on explaining policies to the public, which seems to be the only job they know. talk talk talk…..
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LKY can pass on and Singapore will still be around. He is not the centre of the universe or centre of Singapore. He is just a talkative old man.
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@Fugazzi, you are not reading the article correctly.
It is NOT the ability of these young MPs to run the country that should create “fear” as you put it. It is the INABILITY of them to run the country without LKY that Sinkaporeans should be worried about.
@FullTimeMom, tru again but what you mention are policies that albeit screwed are already in place. What about policies that WILL BE implemented AFTER the passing LKY? Who can say for sure it won’t be far worst?”
WHAT IF say new policy CPF cannot be used 100% to buy HDB and can only be withdrawn after 80 years old or by their next of kin?
Besides, these policies are local, what about Sinkapore as a country? Sinkapore’s relationship with other countries?
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People who buries their hand in the sand and people who would like to take a gamble. Lee Kuan Yew will not live forever. If PAP would implode, then so be it. This if the fate of Singapore.
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Soon, after oldman will follow ..and soon after that..young man n his iron wife ..will take off in a Super Puma in the middle of the night !
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Dear FE II,
I have to cut short our conversation… but I am not one who fears the unknown future… I rather cross the bridge when I come to it.
If u keep thinking of the worse possible IFs, you will never have the guts to take the leap of faith to reach the other side of better possible IFs.
Like I said, for the average Sporeans, things couldn’t possibly get any worse, worser, worserest than they already are!
So my fellow Sporeans, WHEN the time comes, I hope all of us will have the guts to take that leap of faith…for a better, new, beginning!
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There are two sides to the coin here…..in fact,there should be many sides to the sphere.
Agreed,PAP MPs are a bunch of cry babies,they cannot do without having to run back to their mommy–sort of holding on to MM’s apron string.Now this, of course,is the making of MM himself….since MM wanted it that way and nothing else.
Now,is MM that politically savvy?….Mmmmm,I am not so sure.Why?..Because generals needs battles to keep them sharp….you just cannot take one victory as a measure for the rest of your life…and rest on the laurels.
Take China for example,their PLA was battle hardened so much so that with only primitive weapons they took on mighty empires like the US and USSR in the 50s….come 70s and 80s the rags of a small Vietnamese army beat the shit of the same mighty PLA ; who had no choice but to to withdraw to save face.
So,MM as a man without practice for more than 30 years having to deal politically with his enemies now ? ….I would guess is as good as his cry baby PAP MP…or even as a lawyer from the famed Oxford whom a novice like Dr.Chee could reduce to a babbling baby.
The point being,MM himself is no longer the willy nilly politician as the image he had created for himself.Unlike Dr.M of Malaysia who still takes on his political nemesis such as Anwar Ibrahim —enemies both within and outside his own political party who are still out for his blood…and yet survives both the political and physical slaughter to make a difference in Malaysian politics..
Hence I doubt seriously if MM could have survived even a day as an opposition politician today; for which MM needs the popular support of people—ordinary folks who are willing to lay their lives for the sake of MM or his ideology.Even if it’s merely just one man or woman.Does MM has that kind of people’s support as Dr.M has in Singapore?
Moreover,the PAP is not the one that ends all for us in Singapore.Singapore will survive politically without PAP…it’s just a question of time.Like the mighty USSR and Indonesia for example.Reduced to pariah states once their iron clad strongman crumbled with their ideology.
Only to arise stronger than before like the rising of the phoenix from the ashes.There could not be a better example than these two countries with their multi million population suddenly left on the lurch with political novices without any experience in democracy.In fact Russians and Indonesians themselves did not even know what democracy was all about.But today Indonesia is the leader amongst ASEAN countries as the most democratic nation.
Look no further than our Dr.Chee and Kennth Jeyaretnam for that hope that Singapore will survive regardless of LKY demise.
Dr.Chee especially,a man whom MM personally went all out to destroy.Yet he survived all that onslaught to build a credible opposition with supporters who are willing to go to jail for their beliefs….men and women who survived all the odds as a living example.
Tell your Chinese friends that the world would go on without LKY as it did in the past billion years.In fact,it’s the people in China who should change their mindset and shed their fear that without so and so and such and such that China would crumble.
Because dictatorship and communism thrives on such fear factors.
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[Quote: An internal power struggle may cause the PAP to IMPLODE and split the party into many factions.]
You are over exasperating the statement which bears no relevant to it. Singapore is democratic country in which our citizens have every right to vote whatever the the party they wanted.
[Quote: Lee Kuan Yew without doubt is a very experience politician (emphasis on politician) and is shrewd, cunning and resouceful...]
No doubt that he is smart and intelligent, he is a lawyer by training and is versed with the laws plus the raw power which is given by the people. The laws can do good for the society or it can do harm to the public if a person cannot handle it properly. What can you have to say when two generations of political opponents were destroyed by him?
In fact, alot of victims had suffered under his hands. Take example of Dr Lim Hock Siew, his whole life of bright future is destroyed by this old man. Moreover, he was arrested, jailed and toctured in prison for 35-years without court trial. At last, he was released due to his old age and frail. When he wants to speak the truths for the public to hear, the ISD stops him from doing so as he is a criminal offender.
All these political opponents ae native Singaporeans and highly elites. I can still remember that the third generation of alternative parties are also harassing by the PAP Government as there is no chance to destroy them.
As I say before, all the power, money and prestige are temporarily on loan by the earth god, but in the end, you get only the vanity. He is so old that he still wants to grasp onto the power. I still can understand about why the third- or fourth generation of our own people are not giving a chance to run the country instead of doing the “killing”? Singapore police, I hope you understand the word the “killing” which is used only in metaphoric sense and don’t jump into the conclusion at once. That’s all.
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You are the cause that China officials is looking down on Singapore. You are attacking a place where you come from and you will be despised by the Chinese in their heart.
Singapore must run by a fair and just systems and this applies to anywhere in the world. Do not accredit the success to any self proclaimed super human. Truth unite everyone and not any elected leader of any political ideologies systems. Imperialism has not changed much except the spelling of it changed to capitalism. It is now run by the power of money instead of weapons.
The reason why the frustration happen now is exactly what you have done now. You have non-stop comparing people between China County Police Chief and MPs here. It is no different when the employers profit driven rational to justify the cheap obedient FT policies to sacrifice the the friends and in short selling out friends and families. Selling your soul for money to survive is similar to Judah betrayal to Jesus 2000 years ago.
The cries is even louder in the place you live now like FOXCONN. These people die and struggles without even a sound because they are too helpless. Do not pretend that you cannot hear them like those who always turn deaf and similar to Mr.Sinha calling the Singaporean cries like “dog barking”
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Look at the slate of MPs/Minister from the present government, what have they contribute towards nation building the last few years. They are merely in Parliament to make up for the numbers to support the Old Fart and collect their high salaries. They are there to gunned down the 2 opposition members whenever CCT and LTK spoke on issues affecting Singaporean.
Just look at every Parliament in session, the house is always less than 50% full. Just look at how much they contributed in tackling important issues.
We must have good calibre oppositions in Parliament to tackle any hard core issues.
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Simple, new garment take over power, release all cpf monies back to all local bred singaporeans, not PR or new citizens of course, put all papies MPs under investigation and compound all travel documents pending suspect corruption investigation, if found guilty, confiscate all assets and return them to state fund, have a total cleaned up once and for all, just like the ex.Suharto case, and every local bred citizens would be saved, any opposition can do this would definately be in the next ruling garment for many years to come.
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Hi Forecaster Extraordinarie II,
If Mr Lee had built a proper democracy in which the country can be truly open with free and fair elections, none of this would be happening. He wouldn’t need to be around to “keep everyone in check.” In fact the reason y the current batch of ministers are so incompetent is simply because they took the easy way in (ie being elected into the parliament by the tail coats of their predecessors). IMO the sooner he is gone the sooner this country can be truly independent.
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@a pseudonym since freedom of speech is a crime, this is ALL SO TRUE. Precisely WHY I feel Sinkapore will not be any better off without LKY if there were NO able and befitting leader left in the PAPies camp after his passing.
Of course SInkapore WILL SURVIVE his passing but Sinkapore would be MUCH BETTER OFF if a new gahment with proper checks and balances be elected after his passing.
It is the continuation of CLUELESS PAPies in power that will cause Sinkapore to be worst off after his passing which is the gist of my article.
@Simple answer for your article, WHICH PART of my article did I intentionally attack Sinkapore?
Like I said, this is an OPINION piece and if you don’t agree with me on a certain point raised, please present your opinion instead of putting words in my mouth.
How many readers at TR have actually seen me to be extremely biased against or for PAPies? I am merely expressing my “just” opinion and you are welcome to do the same.
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[Quote: stupid article. ]
Yes, you are right. Without LKY and PAP Government, Singapore is going to collapse. This fellow is using the fear tactics to frighten us as we are stupid, ignorant and lesser mortals as what the old man said. The way he talks as Singapore is belonged to the PAP Government only, but nobody else.
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@To LKY, if you want to take my article out of context accusing me of fear mongering, so be it.
It is sad that schools in Sinkapore no longer teaches their students to read between the lines
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FE II,
Don’t worry, if they implode, they will not have time to “fix” the opposition. PAP will split left, right, up and down. Some may even join opposition parties or start their own party. Whatever result after the great day, we are still the voters and we can administer change in government (provided PAP is not 2/3 majority) via opposition parties. THEREFORE IT IS CRUCIAL THAT PAP DO NOT GET 2/3 MAJORITY THIS TIME ROUND !!!
ps: Don’t be discouraged by some of the comments. They failed to understand that the article is for discussion purpose. Moreover, there are always trolls around.
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There are no credible opposition able to run the country. Even the opposition admitted they are not ready to run the country.
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@Forecaster Extraordinarie II,October 2, 2010 at 10:32 pm
What might happen and this is clearly a speculation is that because of the current unhappiness on the ground that the current PAP government would very likely lose quite badly (too much to say voted out.) No matter how screwed up a political system is, it can still sway in the oppositions favour.
Even if he does make it till nomination day I dun think he would be able to contest simply because he is not able to leave the hospital.
Thanks for clarifying ur artical.
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IF LEE IS GONE, THE SON WILL BE IN DEEP SHITS. AS ALL OF US NOTED THAT HE IS NOT AS CAPABLE AS HIS OLD FOLK AND HE LOOKS CLUELESS AND SOFT. SOMEHOW HE IS JUST A PUPPET THAT TAKES INSTRUCTION AND ORDERS.
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[Quote: Dr.Chee especially,a man whom MM personally went all out to destroy.]
To Dr. Chee, you are now a change man, and does a good job recently.
I hope the PAP Government would not try in destroying the third or fourth generation of the political opponents. Anyway, all the alternative parties still have to look out the devils who are always afte them.
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Finally we get to see LKY cry again on tv just like he did, when Malaysia kicked us out! Looks like he has come full circle.
He should have retired long again and enjoyed the love from his people.
Instead he is now going to get rotten eggs thrown at his face!
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My forecast is LHL will rule PAP and singapore with a bigger iron fist since he dont have a true politician self determination like LKY.
He was a former Brig Jen before after all.
Take my words
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Welcome to China of the South East Asia.
soon. very soon.
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Good article my friend….you are not wrong.
Hardly any of these PAP MPs know what is true campaigning and challenge in the face of adversity.Had anyone stood for a UNI election.
Threat starring at you when you stand and speak on the podium during rallies.
Nobody can and is capable…but whoes fault was it, LKY, obviously.
I think after some small hiccups, Singapore & Singaporeans will re-group, just the way LKY and his people did during the old days and start on our new path, without LKY.
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A power struggle will never happen to the PAP because the PAP MPs are all “yes” men. They do not have a mind of their own and will also definitely not want to japodise their annual payout of millions.
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@yoyo, even if LHL does retain his PM position, it would be a puppet position with calls NOT made by him. Remember that LHL is NOT exactly a befitting leader and there are other older guards in the house like SM Goh who has his own choice of PM, for example the dozzing DPM Teo.
With the passing of LKY, LHL still has the Uncle (guess who) to support him in the executive committee and some older guards might also give face to LKY for LHL to stay as PM.
It is unlikely LHL will have any real power to effect major changes but IF what you opined is true, then Sinkapore will be in DEEPER SHIT than if it were to be under LKY.
@beetroot who said: I think after some small hiccups, Singapore & Singaporeans will re-group, just the way LKY and his people did during the old days and start on our new path, without LKY.
Of course Sinkapore will, no doubt about that.
If Sinkapore can survive harsher times 40 years ago, it jolly well will survive now without the PAPies.
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If nobody takes action about it, why bother discussing it? Whatever may come, will come. And normal citizens like me aren’t going to do anything about. Nope! We didn’t in the past, we won’t in the future. It is observable in public; who dare says that they haven’t pretended to sleep on the train upon sighting an elderly who needs that seat that you were currently occupying at that moment at least once? Sad but true, most Singaporeans just don’t want to take the initiative. I’m not saying that we don’t take action though, we do! Keyboard warriors, anyone? In the end, speculations are useless if we aren’t going to do anything about it. Make a big fuss, acting so high and mighty, complain to your friends and family, pause, ponder, grumble and trudge back to your own life, slogging away at the desk. Welcome to Singapore, ladies and gentlemen. Our miserable state of affairs as we see it today (or possibly in the future as some have suggested); we have nobody to blame but ourselves.
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Old don’t go new don’t arrive. Let LKY die as well. Though not death by his choice. Do Singaporeans want to feed an old man yearly who do nothing but never forecast anything right with millions?
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Your article headlined “The passing of Lee Kuan Yew may NOT be a blessing for Singapore” with conclusion “So, will Singapore be any better off being lead by these young and politically inexperienced MPs with the passing of Lee Kuan Yew?”
What’re you trying to say here? pal,
Are you saying the old fart should rule singapore forever since all mps(opposition included?)are “no standard” because they’re not as “shrewd, cunning and resouceful” as the old fart? Are you advocating status quo in sg political scene?
I strongly believe they’re still true blue singaporeans who would like to joint the politics(pap or opp) not for monetary gain but to serve the people and the nation, but would not do it now with the old fart still in full control of policies that are ruining the country.
On the contrary, my 2c opinion is that the cunning old fox need to bite the dust before any hope of change for better in the papies regime and the whole political arena.
EF II, do you not agree that after the Mao Zedong demise, China(is it what you’re residing now?) communist party has changed slowly but surely much better to what’s it today!
p.s. I’ve been reading and enjoying your numerous well written articles, but not this piece…I catch no ball… the worst! pardon me if I misunderstood your arguments/thought…I’m a chinese helicopter
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My deepest sympathy to the passing of a fellow human being.
that being said,she may have controlled fuck yew from behind the scene,hell i think she was the one who created the women’s charter.
whatever she has done,have not done,its now over.she’ll have to face god and answer for her actions.good or no good,god will judge her.
as for fuck yew and the rest of his family,i say 1 down,a few more to go.
will the shit times spin the story of her greatness and cash in on the coming elections?
will they use her passing to “unite” sgreans?
1 thing’s for sure,i’d still vote the opps.
fuck yew can die for all i care,ITS OVER FUCK YEW! WE ALL DIE!
DEATH IS CERTAIN,ITS TIME UNCERTAIN!
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Who are those non singaporeans to comment on our politics?????? If you’re so good, than why is singapore one of the leading economy in the world today. Hmm our political leaders are horrid, then I’m afraid yours are hopeless? Get a life man, Mind your own business
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Starting from the PM LHL who was nurtured from young to carry the torch most ministers were scholars who passed exams with flying colors and nurtured along the way with no mind of their own i.e. non THINKERS.
Going by the books non of these ministers can’t last should catastrophe strike,they will be like headless chicken.What more if the Head is as useless as them.
In this context I agree with this article.
LHL is PM not by merit nor capability but sheer pressure from Mr. & Mrs LKY
Last but not least,whichever party that rules a core team must be in place that overrides and handle the FAULT LINE which will never go away.
The original CORE team of LKY,GKS,RAJA,BARKER,OTHMAN WOK & Devan made the fault line look non existence but it DOES and GOD help us if it explodes in the hands of a SICK MIND.
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Those are like a bunch of ugly ducks being “F” and got pregnant but do not know “F” by who???
One down, the other will be on the way..leaving little ducking around.
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How to be “street smart” as most of them enter by the back door due to GRC w/o any contest?
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Shrewd and cunning, yes. Resourceful, maybe yes.
Threatening bully and vindictively evil, definitely.
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Agree that the younger generation of political leaders are naive. They have been living in someone’s shadow for too long. As well, Singapore education system churn out robots, not thinking individuals. Who to blame now? But we can always hire F”T”s to run the gahmen, they are cheaper also.
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If people’s feet have already left the country, there is nothing worth left for them to deliberate and forecast futures. Likewise, if a country is so dependent on a single party system such that the unfortunate laws of nature eventually befall the most important man, it seems inevitable that chaos will ensue. All the books in the world cannot prepare the young booksmarts for handling the gnashing teeth outside. But history and books have this saying, that from adversity and chaos, a hero may appear?
The future is exciting to look forward to and hopefully housing prices come crashing down then.
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1. I would like to thank Forecaster Extraordinarie II for his intentION in contributing his article. And also Temasek Review for publishing it here. Please note how I’ve spelt the word intentION. Why do I say have to do it and then ALSO point it out too?
2. Frankly, reading some of the responses I did not know whether to be perplexed with some, to cry for another, to praise yet another, to thank someone coherent, to laugh at some or even to say shut up a I’ve done and lately even used the “f” word too at certain people here. But stating clearly that I am not that kind. Why did I do so? “More than meets the eyes and the ears” folks!
3. But may I please say first that far too many have totally misread FE II. And therefore ALSO TR for posting his article here. Why? Because too many do not “read” his noble intention of sharing FOR discussions his views about his “angle” OF what may happen when LKY leaves too. NO, I did NOT read any BIAS in his sharing at all!
4. In fact, the typical Singaporean as I have said before, listens AND reads what “they” intentION to hear OR read. Thus, this GROUP (“Class” would be wrong as it’ll/can be “seen” as with connoctations) of Singaporeans who are somewhat like the “clueless” PAP MPs FE II wrote about and those who agreed with him too. As is this really FE II’s REAL intentIONS. And now I’ll tell you the caps in intentION(S) is for this group of people. As “intent” alone carries the intended meaning which they can’t fathom.
5. Have I now confused you more? Why? Because you’ve misread FE II’s straight forward and clarified intention he clarified a few times too! Thus, my this style “should confuse, except for those who read what they read or hear what heard. SO… I am now waiting to be lambasted and won’t be surprised at all. What’s my point then as you couldn’t see FE II’s intent?
6. Thus like FE II said, I shall pause (pls note!) here and will continue after some responses to me. As it been a long and tring day till now at nearly 1.00 A.M. And only save to say if you noticed my many different writing styles? And I used to use many synonyms unil lately when I only use “RDB”. And in closing, please know too that RDB has deeper meanings and purpose but not for now to reveal yet.
So goodnight one & all until refreshed with rest when we continue tomorrow. Just hope you “don’t” already think that I am being “cheong-hay” in Cantonese, meaning “long-winded”. What to do lor?
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I think “quitters” are just worried about their property in Singapore. I am a quitter and i have property in Singapore but so what. What is good for Singapore is a democratically elected government which is critical, clean, and agree to disagree. Not a one family one party system. The PAP has nothing to loose. They walk away millionaires and they sabotaged Singapore by not allowing Singapore to grow politically. They are very spiteful party. Change is inevitable, death is real and Singapore need to live through a revolution for its long term survival for its children and children children.
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Point 1) is the objective we want.
A weaker and messy PAP is exactly what we need for S’pore to prgress.
PAP’s monopoly is hurting Spore in the long run.
Point 2) Why compare with a communist developing country?!?
We dont need shrewd and cunning politicians.
That is not considered true capability…instead its a reflection of character.
A first world nation need capable people to contribute instead of playing 3rd world ‘political’ games’.
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We dont need another shrewed and power-hungry person to ruin Singapore.
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I don’t understand, how can PAP imploding, exploding, vapourised by anti-matter, etc be a bad thing?
Anyway what happened today showed that curses works. The Old Fart is going to have to bury his wife. Something I had been wishing for months.
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“It is therefore understandable that these 60% would want Lee Kuan Yew dead in the believe that it would solve many of the problems Singaporeans like themselves are facing.”
It is the EVIL & his WICKED ways.
The choice is not simple…………
As for the CURRENT PAP MPs & Opposition, blah………..BUT, I believe there are many capable ones who are not into politics yet, who could take over.
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Why today?
MM in hospital
PM in Belgium
No one was near to Mrs Lee for the last few days.
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@Snowball who said: I believe there are many capable ones who are not into politics yet, who could take over.
Surely there is, just that the timing is not ripe yet.
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Questions?:
October 3, 2010 at 2:22 am
I agree. Remember weeks ago, people were saying that the Old Fart should just retire and keep his wife company. He refused to retire, go on a Eurpore tour, come back with sickness, and end up she had to die a lonely death.
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Masonic principals and figures in place, nothing to worry. Another mason will take over
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I think TS makes a lot of sense in this article.
With MM Lee’s passing, one thing is for sure is that PAP will no longer be the same. One positive outcome would be that people who used to vote for PAP because of MM will now think twice about blindly voting.
On the other hand, the implosion of the PAP is something that can actually happen. It is just like relatives in extended families who lose contact with each other after the death of the family elder.
Now, that can’t be all that bad, judging from the fact that a lot of people are unhappy about the PAP. However, we have to take into consideration that there is still a lot of people who as a norm, vote for PAP just because they have been doing that for a long time.
If, after this GE, there is no change in the political scene and PAP still sits in power, what would be the consequence should PAP fall into disarray?
Also, we are forgetting that aside from public policy, there is a matter of the international community, and MM Lee, by his sheer presence as the oldest and longest serving MP (not to mention iron grip of the country) commands a force of deterrence which is unrivaled by any living politician in Singapore. Who’s to say that after his passing, that our current array of Ministars can withstand any barrage of political attacks from other countries?
I believe that the author is not trying to paint a beautiful picture of LKY but to bring about the reality to everyone that once he is gone, a lot of changes are likely to take place and judging from our current caliber of PAP ministars plus the LACK of good opposition parties (I stress lack and not absence, we have some really good ones out there but I feel there still isn’t enough to fill parliament substantially), that Singapore may be in for a rough ride at least for a couple of years while the political scene fixes itself.
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This article & the many “fearful” comments only confirm ONE conclusion, i.e. …
LKY’s Political Renewal & Succession Plan have been a SHAM!
It was NEVER about S’pore’s long term future & survival, BUT the LEE family’s continuous hold on power.
Man may plan, but it is the ALMIGHTY that determines the course of events.
Man trying to play GOD, always end up in failure.
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By the author’s analogy, once LKY goes (to heaven or hell) the country should elect one of the opposition leaders as PM – because they have been bloodied and survived, whereas most of the gahmen ministers lack actual political “combat” experience to be the leader. Too bad JBJ left us, but there’s still Chiam See Tong, Lim Hock Siew, Chee SJ – all of them survived years of combat with LKY. And quite a few live overseas in US, UK and Australia.
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Sometimes when I read TR and comments, it makes me wonder what is in the making of Singaporeans. Are you giving comments from a positive perspective and sincerely wanting to really improve Singapore or simply releasing your personal dissatisfaction due to some other personal reasons?
FE II & RDB are correct and their points VALID.
TR is our alternative to voicing our dissent and we should utilize this platform to garner support for the opposition, to further champion the rights of Singaporeans. What is the point of cursing at someone and giving ridiculous remarks without sense? Worst of all, it seems that voices in TR which are supposed to be fighting for better democracy for Singapore, are fighting amongst themselves.
This is the exact situation of Opposition Parties in Singapore. Fighting amongst themselves, resulting in a weaker force to contend with the ruling PAP. I believe some of you are either members of opposition parties or supporters. But if at ground level, it’s in such a chaotic mess, than what can we expect from the Representing Incumbent of Opposition Parties do? How can our Opposition Parties be more credible that way? Aren’t you making yourself, and the Opposition Parties that you support, look like a plate of loose sand that cannot even make a sand castle?
All of us here agrees that, to voice our dissent is patriotic and TR’s slogan of “Together we can make it right for Singapore”. But are you really fulfilling your role, duty and responsibility of a Citizen of Singapore? Or are you merely criticizing, without sense, without base, without loyalty, to this HOMELAND of ours?
The way some of you puts it, seems you will be joyous and celebrating if the ruling PAP comes in total disarray, the present Government totally dysfunction and the whole PAP regime collapse. Do you know what it means? The entire Singapore will be totally destroyed overnight! Unless you are not living in Singapore now and do not have any family here. Otherwise, have you ever thought what would happen? Our whole country goes into immediate turmoil, chaos and complete state of hysteria.
Rioting, protests, looting and the list goes on. Is that what you want? If it is, then I would say you are the real traitor, the real betrayer, of OUR country. Do you know how long it will take to re-organise an immediate election? After that, how long to re-form the Government and then appoints a Cabinet to revamp the entire Government? Then, in those times, do you know how much loss it will cost Singapore and Singaporeans of their jobs or livelihood? Once a new Government is in place, then how long more will it take to let the world have confidence in Singapore again?
My dear fellow Singaporeans. To fight for better democracy, we must. To continue our quest for a better Government, we will. But, please ladies and gentlemen. Do use some wit. Critically appreciate and comment as we go along. Practically criticize, as we need to do so. All in good time and appropriate sense. To immediately replace the ruling PAP is impossible unless you’re NAIVE and lives in a fairy tale land.
With this note, I urge all Singaporeans, not to use anger to judge or voice your dissent. Temper gets you nowhere and can only lead you to be another GREEN HORN.
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Are you serious? Most of these MPs and ministers were called, they
were picked. In other words, they did not volunteer to enter
politics,they were asked to,nudged to, maybe even pressured to join
so what makes you think there will be a power struggle? Do you
think they are passionate enough to fight among themselves? I
foresee that there will be a few who would lead but most will be
happy just to “carry on with their work that brings great
salaries. “Whether we like it or not, LKY WILL die sooner or later
just like the rest of us!
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The fallacy of this thread is that Singapore will always need LKY, when the truth is that it is LKY who needed Singapore to fulfill his own ambitions – and result in him needing more success that then Singaporeans needs him.
Are there no capable people AFTER LKY is gone ?
*
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[Quote]
1. An internal power struggle may cause the PAP to IMPLODE and split the party into many factions , which is not good for any organisation. Lee Hsein Loong is not exactly a befitting leader as many Singaporeans would agree and with Lee Kuan Yew gone, many in the party may not want to see him remain as Prime Minister. Even brothers in a family don’t agree with each, not to mention a political party with more than 100s of members. Does Singaporeans want a ruling party that disagree among themselves everyday to rule them?
[Unquote]
*
With the PAP structured into three separate entitites, can they hope to have a unified view ?
The PAP is engineered for the political leaders to remain strong and in firm control over the Party, preventing any threat from being taken over by “a maverick wild card politician”.
We can see that the larger body in the General Membership has no voice in the PAP; while the Cadre Corp are handpicked by the PAP Central Executive Committee, which in turn will require the Cadre Corp “to elect” the short list prepared by the CEC to form the leadership.
*
*
[Quote]
2. Lee Kuan Yew without doubt is a very experience politician (emphasis on politician) and is shrewd, cunning and resouceful, a needed requirement to survive in politics. How many existing MPs in Singapore can claim to be near his calibre or of his calibre?
[Unquote]
*
Looking back at history BEFORE LKY came into the limelight during the “politics of independence from Crown Rule” in the early 1950s, there were many Singaporean luminairies, whose social activism spread beyond Singapore shores.
By the 1950s, many of the leading Singapore personalities were descendants of migrants, and were exposed to the many issues and events in Southeast Asia, as they were familiar with the politics in other countries which their businesses and work involved them.
It was these Singaporeans with deeper insight and experience that were the most vocal against LKY’s insistence on merging Singapore into a larger Malaysia – which saw history vindicating these Singaporeans when LKY and the late Goh Keng Swee had to negotiate for Singapore’s withdrawal from Malaysia.
It was against the advise of Singaporeans that the PAP Government rushed into the Suzhou Industrial Park Project, when the Singaporean private investors had first hand experience dealing with the provincial officials, and became more wary and cautious in their business dealings in China.
Since the first economic downturn in 1987, Singapore went through several more, and after each downturn – the PAP Government will set up Economic Review Committee – with the Committee members filled by qualified ORDINARY Singaporeans.
Unfortunately, most of their conclusions and recommendations were not accepted even though it had been made in the earlier downturn – as earlier recommendations were not implemented.
This resulted in Singapore continuously stuck in the present economic malaise – even as the PAP Government will prop it up with loud and useless propaganda.
Most Singaporeans have now become either political or social activists, and are closer to the grass-roots then the political leadership in the PAP, who will depend on an army of grass-root representatives from the People’s Association.
*
*
[Quote]
With the passing and resignation of many old guards from the PAP camp, NONE of the existing batch of MPs is in my opinion, worthy of being called a “politician” in its true intended meaning and worth. The present batch of young MPs are, in the words of many who were in the system “no standard” , who will never survive in politics without Lee Kuan Yew to lead them and tell them what to do.
[Unquote]
*
The current crop of MPs – with some becoming Ministers – were not even politicians – and had no interests being politicians; and many were no more then elite socialites enjoying life before being called to the infamous ‘Tea Party’ for private ‘tete-a-tete’.
It was revealing to listen to SM GCT when he gave an eulogy at the late Dr Goh’s wake – saying that his career first at Nepture Orient, and second at Shell came to an abrupt halt, when the late Dr Goh telephoned Shell Petroleum never to employ GCT as his ‘talent’ was needed by the Singapore Government.
Without any exposure and experience in activism – can the Singapore Cabinet Ministers be more qualified than ORDINARY Singaporeans to resolve the multi-facetted solutions to our private life, and determine what our lives should be ?
Singaporeans must learn to have more confidence in ourselves, as was the generation in the mid-1950s – who were largely angry with the bankrupt ideas of the Lim Yew Hock government, and had supported an inexperienced LKY and an unknown PAP to form a new Government.
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I can understand many who are fearful of a post-LKY S’pore.
BUT let us learn a little from our S’pore short history.
Under the British, S’pore was a little British outpost in the Far East, and was doing “not too badly” as a trading centre …compared to her surrounding neighbours.
Then, came World War 2 & Japanese occupation. The complacent & prideful British was defeated & humiliated by the Japs. After the war & Jap’s surrender, the British came back to rule S’pore again.
But a small group of London educated young Asian men, came back to S’pore & demanded the British to pack up & let S’pore become independent.
However, things were not like a bed of roses, with political strives, communism infiltration, racial conflicts & riots, unemployment, etc.
Thanks to our forefathers & foremothers from various shores, sense & sensibility prevailed & ruled, so that we have a modern day S’pore.
HISTORY has a cruel habit of repeating itself.
In today’s S’pore context, in the place of British, we have a PAP that is complacent & prideful. The dynamics within & without are once again threatening S’pore existence.
So what can we S’poreans fall back on? On LKY & PAP track record? A definite “NO”!!!
Like our forefathers, there is NO room for FEAR of the UNKNOWN future. We must let SENSE & SENSIBILITY prevail once again, so that we can overcome the PAP-created national crisis, and move on to create a BETTER & STRONGER SINGAPORE!
It is SINGAPORE that matters. LKY & PAP are merely stewards of S’pore. They come & go, and another group of stewards rise to take over!
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This is important. In order for Singapore to continue to prosper, one must not forget the basics which enable us to rise up in the first place. And what are those? The ability to put our heads together, push aside all differences, come up with the best laid ideas on the table and make the sacrifices needed to go forward.
We need to play into our strengths. Some are good as leaders and some are better as team members. Plus an open outlet of creativity is a must. If one ever feels like sticking to a straight-laced path, snap out of it, as it’s our society’s yes-man conditioning talking.
If any opposition party members are reading this, it’d be best to go with the United States/Europe as a future ally and not China. China is dying. It’s false economy , unsustainable model and lastly pollution shall be the stake through it’s heart. Japan tried the same thing as China did and combusted. What makes anyone think they could do it?
Plus USA will always be the cutting-edge in technology and innovation due to their attributes and passion for what they do. And if an extreme scenario comes about where the United States or Europe seal up their economy. You will be thankful, if they do consider you as a friend.
They did brought more benefits to this country so far, amongst the two. Their companies which set up operations here gave us jobs and Singaporeans do have slightly better access than the red tape others go through in the United States, whereas China on the other hand seem to take up our countrymen/women’s jobs and pretty much snubbed our people.
I will always personally suggest goodwill and kindness to everyone, be it friend or not. But as a country, we need to practically deal with countries that align together with our interests and not one which are planning to take us on a “round-the-world” trip, going by what Forecaster mentioned about the arrogance of China’s county officials.
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@ alvinlwh: Read the IHT interview transcript, you idiot. You’re so ill-informed and poorly-read.
“The Old Fart is going to have to bury his wife. Something I had been wishing for months.” Politics aside, that is a really uncivilized remark. What if someone were wishing for your mum to drop dead too? Would you like that?
Think before you spew your nonsense. You strike me as a pampered, complaining whiner born at least after 1980 and with totally no grasp of real hardship and strife. You really need to grow up and stop being a Wimpy Kid.
PS: Let’s see you attend the funeral and tell that directly to the Lee family’s face.
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// alvinlwh:
October 3, 2010 at 2:39 am
They both planned for his wife/and his mother’s death by temporary staying away from home.
i.e. One being hospitalised while the son on official o’seas visits.
And they acted as though putting the nation above themselves and then, let the other family members to pull the plug.
Reported: Both urgently rushing home (creating additional headline news).
Why must they both father and son be acting this way?
Do you need to plan for such an event?
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The fact that Singapore parliament is almost empty when parliament sits shows that many of the PAP MPs are redundant.
Recently many of the ministers were away from Singapore enjoying themselves, and Singapore still runs like clockwork, shows that Singapore can survive very well without the PAP.
The reason is that we have a very good civil service and there are many talented Singaporeans (99% of them are native Singaporeans) to run Singapore.
IF AN AIRPLANE CARRYING ALL THE PAP MINISTERS WERE TO CRASH AND ALL OF THEM DIED IN THE ACCIDENT, SINGAPORE WILL STILL CARRY ON AS USUAL AND THE STOCK MARKET HARDLY AFFECTED AT ALL.
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Question and answer
A reporter posted a question to Health Minister, “would you like to be the next PM?”
Health Minister reply : “you want me to die?”
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PM Just touched dwon at Brussels less than 2 hours, n the PM was informed of his mother’s passing. He immediately rushed home.
But Why suddenly break the news in Brussels?
Brussels is EU HQ. For EU to sympathize towards our PM.
Note: Singapore was able to get close to US and China but so far, not with EU – thats why?.
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So what if there is an internal struggle leading to two or more factions? Have you heard of “imputs”? Right now, where do you hear of differing views? None of the MPs are willing to speak up for fear, and of course the huge salary they are receiving. It will in fact lead to stagnation of minds, which is what is happening.Look at the fiasco at the moment.. splurge of foreigners and not enough houses for Singaporeans, long queues at the hospitals, lost of jobs, etc but no one dares to come up with a good solution.
Too long have these MPs being thumbed down that they have not ben accustomed to speak whenever they are abroad such as negotiating in , say China.Hence this led to the communist officials to make such comments!
In fact, without LKY, there wil be openess, ideas forthcoming, and freedom! Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea went into prosperity and are ahead because their leaders are motivated to sacrifice right from their hearts without fear or favour!
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In 1994, our top most experienced politician was taken for a ride in Suzhou SIP in China.
So, what about this bunch of green horns tortoise?
they only keep their heads in the shell..wasting our time and money.
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many foreigners in and outside of singapore will “TOAST” to this, communism and socialism to collapse.
long live to capitalism and “GREED” and may the greedy become more greedy.
animal farm at its “END”
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Don’t self humuliate yourself with such fence sitting article.Sinkypore will sink if the Papies carry on their usual ways and it’s a blessing in disguise for true blue S’poreans that at last we’re beginnng to see some glimmer of lights at the end of the tunnel.We’ve been put in a disasterous and hopeless situations with their self-serving and gerrymandering tricks.I’m gratified that the “UNSEEN” has come to our aids in our most critical moment….So,let’s stand together and vote together for a better morrow..!!!!
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@Caulibeam who said: I believe that the author is not trying to paint a beautiful picture of LKY but to bring about the reality to everyone that once he is gone, a lot of changes are likely to take place and judging from our current caliber of PAP ministars plus the LACK of good opposition parties (I stress lack and not absence, we have some really good ones out there but I feel there still isn’t enough to fill parliament substantially), that Singapore may be in for a rough ride at least for a couple of years while the political scene fixes itself.
Thank you very much for understanding my intended thoughts in this article. You are among a handful of readers that actually understand what I have been trying to put forth.
Sinkapore survived 40 years ago during the transition and certainly she will survive LKY and the PAPies, we are merely seeing a repeat of history when Sinkapore was kicked out of Malaysia.
Bluntly put, the whole gist of the article borders on the fact that since LKY has so successfully destroyed all credible and viable oppositions and institutions in Sinkapore, it will be an uphill task for ANYONE to take over from where he left off.
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PAP politicians have it too easy. They have never had to face the likes of an army of JBJs on a level-playing field. The opposition on the other hand, have to fight this war with their hands tied behind their backs. That is how LKY wants it – he has made it his turf (those 66.6% voters) and so they will have to play it by his rules.
All it will take for Singapore to get back on the right track are two key events:
- a major oppostion win, leading to
- repealing the ISA and government liability laws
(government liability laws – you can’t sue the government)
The PAP has used these two laws to keep Singaporeans pressed down. With these two laws LKY and his cohort have got away with a lot of unspeakable things (unspeakable because the information is censored and locked away, and speaking of them will lead you into bankruptcy).
These two laws have systematically robbed Singaporeans of their freedom, rights, courage and expression. Singaporeans have lived in fear for over 30 years because of these two laws, and so PAP politicians have never got to experience what real politics is all about.
When there is no fear, Singaporeans will begin to demand changes in the government and judiciary. No more lack of transparency and lack of accountability. No more hidden losses and waste of resources. No more highly paid useless ministers.
When LKY goes, I look forward to seeing a lot of referendums to change the constitution, for the better of Singapore. All in good time.
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LKY should have retired twenty years ago. There is nothing more or nothing else for him to prove any further. In everything, there is an optimal point. And that optimal point was twenty years ago. Before the final curtains are drawn and the final chapter comes to a close, it is sad to see so many people hated him out of their guts. Vanity upon vanity, end of the day….everything is vanity! It is meaningless and it is sad!
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My personal opinion. The problem with the PAP is like a very strict parent so much so there is no creativity and survival skills learned. There is no debate, exchange of ideas but only one voice. Therefore all the scholars the government chooseN are study smart but not street smart. For singapore to survive that won’t do. Look what happen to Yugoslavia and former soviet union.
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All the lightweight people they disguise as heavy weight, all the heavy weight are just dead weights. PAP has done Singapore in. Now they can just die/resign and leave us with so many problems. And yet they still try to hold on to power and keep others out.
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Even wirhout LKY, SG will still remain as is it for a period of time. The “system” created by him will continue to run if his son still around.
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The fear here is unneccesary and unwarranted. The earlier this event is to occur, the better it is for Singapore and Singaporeans.
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First intelligent article I read here so far. There will be a lot of concerns in the international community as to whether Singapore can hold itself together when LKY, sadly will pass away. Reading articles and comments here certainly does not reassure potential investors as to the caliber of the next generation of leaders.
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2 Scenarios :
1. spore is so dependent on MM Lee : Is there succession plan? Is it done well? What does this say about the future of spore?
2. spore can live and prosper without Lee : then should he not retire early and enjoy his twilight years?
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Whatever the case maybe for the rest of the country, I can surmise the following:
1. LKY’s lifelong partner and love has finally passed away leaving him alone and in a void.
2. He has contributed his whole life to his version of the betterment of the country, and feels that he has completed his duty.
3. His kids have all grown up and left him all alone
4. His kids and grandkids are all doing well and very rich, and even if they screw up later, it’s out of his hands anyway.
5. He has done his duty to him family.. now the rest of their survival is up to themselves.
6. He can now die peacefully, without any further worries of looking after his frail wife.
7. I suspect LKY will leave this earth not long after his wife… (similar to Ong Teng Cheong, who also passed away soon after his wife did).
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OP, you cannot be more wrong. The issue here is that LKY is not immortal. Think of the implications of your claims that the country cannot survive without him, and then try to tell me that it’s bad for the country if LKY went.
The climate his government has created is one of mousey servitude, even amongst the opposition and foreginers. The entire whitewashing our government did to everything, means that our economists and politicians and media can NOT fend for themselves, once the threat of a lawsuit from the ruling party goes away (do note: we’re the ONLY country in the world who will defamation suit political opponents!). I haven’t thought through what exactly will happen, but you get the picture.
It’s equally bad if LKY remains in office, because it encourages complacency of our leaders. We need *our ruling party* to wake up, just as the citizesn had – the propaganda has long lost its weight after 2 consecutive economic crises, and still they are relied on because our leaders can’t think of anything else to say!
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Once MM goes, no one can cover up for all the mistakes PAP ministers make. Only Vuvuzela Goh and PM Mai Hum Lee will try to make excuses for their incompetence. Time for Singaporeans to wake up. Only the poor people understand hardship, PAP will not be able to hold on to power and old ways of doing things. The hatchet will be transfered to the people.
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Most of the millionaire minister and MP will be the first to leave the country if LKY passed away and Singapore in really deep shit. These minister are highly paid by PAP government, they don’t really care much whether Singapore is going forward or backward, what they care is how much can they reap from the current state. Once they reap enough and if the situation turns bad, they had plentiful of cash on hand to help them escape from Singapore, leaving only a handful of us to fend for ourselves. Doesn’t mean highly paid minister or MP definitely the most loyal and trustworthy, doesn’t mean a person who is lowly paid are not loyal and trustworthy. So is the high paid salaries to the minister and MP justifiable?? High paid doesn’t mean 100% no corruption and the government sure have 100% loyalty from the minister, loyalty to the country is very much subjective, it depends the each and individual love for his/her country, only when in time of chaos, we shall see how many minister and MP are truly loyal Singaporean, or they just want the money.
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Apparently it seems @Forecaster Extraordinarie II got cold feet.
That he can be caught in China and rendered penniless.PAP indeed has long arms and deep pockets .Something that terrifies @Forecaster Extraordinarie II.
This is the difference between people like JBJ,Dr.Chee and Forecaster Extraordinarie II.
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No man, no matter how superior or invincible he may be, is
indispensible and indisposable!
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No fear, Singapore does have talents. Given the right circumstances, good leaders will emerge. Fear for the unknown is human nature. Who would be able to foresee today’s China after Chairman Mao.
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PAP try to con people that they are the top brains and if they are not in charge Singapore will sink. Now that MM is old, the image they created will also be shaken with new ministers that are inexperienced and caught off guard in their resume. SPH/MOE and the Judiciary also try to cover up for the PAP to prevent Singaporeans from knowing the truth and critical thinking. PAP is dumbing down the people and themselves, putting Spore/Singaporeans at risk.
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And so aren’t you speculating too? What kind of logic and guessing are doing as well “WHAT KIND OF SICK LOGIC YOU ARE PUSHING @Forecaster Extraordinarie II:: October 3, 2010 at 12:02 pm”? and DRIVING AT!!! Are you not “A pot calling the kettle black” so to speak?
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New birds is no match for the old bird. But lor, old bird cannot lived forever. Malaysia Dr M also had a chest infection now at hospital, look like all the old bird is getting too old liao they don’t have much time left on this world.
Beside Old bird carry with them “a historial burden” MM Lee still seek help from USA to counter-balanced China. He knows too well China is the Gold Standard, China is the Ideal Model, China “State Captialism” is the in things now.
Today, Mr Wen Jiao Bao had just sign billion of dollars to save Greece, as the new trading partner, this is helping Europe.
C-SPAN, the Amercian knows China is everywhere in Africa, Brazil, Australia joint-venture in purchasing raw materials securing their Manufacturing advantage.
MM Lee old school of thoughts when its comes to Freedom Of Navigation and Spartly Islands, he think of USA to press China.
1) Inviting USA is so easy, asking them to leave you extremely diffcult, look at Japan Keno Airbase, South Korea military base
2) Inviting USA will complicated matters, they know you NEED THEM, but they DON’T come for free. If you want ask to help you, then you had to follow our set of Democracy Values.
3) The other option, as a family of ASEAN, you had a problem, using your hand to tap on China shoulder, my good friend can we talk???
Very diffcult meh???
4) As a “Collectivism Of Smaller Nations” there is power, surely this is good enough to pursade China on the Sparlty Island to had a profit-sharing ratio. The last things we need, is Outsider coming in to complicated the whole problem
Therefore, I said hor, Old Bird bring old solution that was never effective in the past. Old Bird bring old experience. As the saying goes, you can’t teach old dogs new tricks, they are lock up in the old school of thoughts.
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To Ali Baba: October 3, 2010 at 11:56 am, being always COMPLIANT to a LKY singularly or anyone such “boss’ IS ALSO Corrupt hor! Because is NOT doing a job at all for the simple fact that “To ERR is human”and thus no boss is perfect! So, a subordinate who is a YES-man ALL of THE TIME is a ALSO “NO-man” – meaning NOT a man ta all! Aboslutely corrupt subordinate and boss too or not? Ask yourselves and think properly and don’t be like a GREEN HRON as “Tuning In…: October 3, 2010 at 3:09 am” said earlier!
Come to think of it, is LKY with his son Loong an “Ali Baba+”" with 80 “thieves’ then?
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Most of the present MPs and younger ministers from the ruling party walked into parliment through the back-door, that is via uncontested GRCs. So what political experience do they have. Majority are just ‘Yes men’ and “parrots”. Agree, the ruling party government has done well in the past, but not the present lot. The open flood gates policy of allowing large numbers FTs to come in freely and occupying jobs which for local born PMETs can do,is a big disappointment to many Sporeans. I am not talking about contruction workers or those occupying jobs which few Sporeans are willing to take. Nowadays, it is common to find FTs occupying junior and middle management positions in many organizations, including GLCs and TLCs. This is bacause employing FTs is much cheaper and than employing local born. Also, FTs are willing to accept lower pay. But is this good for Spore in the long run?. Your guess is as good as mine.
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@Forecaster Extraordinarie II: October 3, 2010 at 9:23 am
//Bluntly put, the whole gist of the article borders on the fact that since LKY has so successfully destroyed all credible and viable oppositions and institutions in Sinkapore, it will be an uphill task for ANYONE to take over from where he left off.//
*
Singapore success today is due largely to the abilities of every Singaporean at their various stations in Singapore Life – keeping the essential services operating in finance and banking, industry and commerce, health and medical care, social and cultural development – achieving all through their individual skills and experiences, with their applied diligence and professional standards in administrative, organisational, managerial, and engineering skills.
With all these capable Singaporeans runniing the success of Singapore, can being a politician be as difficult an occupation – when POLITICS is all about LIFE itself ?
MM LKY had said that a successful politician will need to be an ACTIVIST.
Singapore has seen a litany of political, economic, social, and security lapses over the last four years, with Singaporeans becoming disgruntled and loaded with an ever increasing Cost of Living, even as the Standard of Living is deteriorating.
It is clear that the present lot of self-acclaimed elitist political talents – chosen by the Pro Alient Party – are mostly social elites in Singapore Society, and are hardly “social or even political activists”.
Is it any wonder that this present lot of political leadership in the Government of the Pro Alien Party has shown such poor political performance that caused the present litany of laughable scandals ?
If all things being equal exist in Singapore Politics, the political and social activists will be more capable than the self-acclaimed elitist talents from the Pro Alien Party.
The old adage – “New Broom Sweeps Clean” – was proven once before, when a totally inexperienced LKY and an unknown PAP Opposition Party was given a vote of confidence in 1956 by the generation of the 1950s. This was due to the large disaffection and anger of that 1950s Singaporeans with the scandolous failures of the Lim Yew Hock government.
Singapore needs another “NEW Broom” for the Twenty-First Century, and there will be many who will step forward, when the Alternative Politiical Parties form a New Government – and remove all the political impediments that the Pro Alien Party had built into the political system to FIX the Alternative Parties and their supporters.
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Singapore politicians are ugly and have no place in govt. Why can’t we have a good looker?
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hmmm, I have been thinking about this too.
It’s like this “love-hate-relationship” I have towards to government.
Love-hate towards Mr LKY… but he is a politicians. If he is not shrew, cunning, direct.. he will not be who he is. I guess when outsiders talk about Singapore. People recognized Mr LKY.. (Like Steve Job to APPLE?).
Confidence may be shaken.. I have not enough faith in our younger MPs.. they are more like Managers then Leaders.
But If Ruling party implode.. then i hope it will mean someone ABLE will arise and lead. I really hope we will not fight among ourselves, and end of Singapore.
No matter what.. Singapore still Home.. I don’t want others, external people to come and take advantage when we fight among ourselves.. IF it happens.
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It’s difficult for a writer in TR to be objective. There are loads of people who simply wants the government overturned, not necessarily contributing the best to Singapore.
I have noticed article quality in TR dropping drastically and will welcome other more-objective website that can compare policies between many parties in Singapore
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he is like a football coach. can a football team do away with an extraordinary coach because it has great players?the answer is no. a great coach enhances and takes the game to greater heights.
lky is an extraordinary leader which, unlikely we will see again. but at least the son is still around and we will see some of lky dna in our politics.
after that, hopefully we have found our long term political bearing for the sake of singapore.
every 5 years or so clamoring for power,it is not a good thing.
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If it is ain’t broke why fix it? It is better to have the known devils than unknown angels running the gahmen. The neighbouring country has the opposition parties running the State gahmen. They had promised one thousand and one things during the elections. Have they delivered the promises? Are they better than the previous administration? Are the citizens reaping the benefits? All we read are everyone vying for the lucrative gahmen positions, contracts, projects, etc, and back stabbing one another when not getting them. Vote for the best and capable candidates and not on the promises. Use your head to think through thoroughly and not emotion/pure hatred or just to follow the herd blindly!
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Hi SMICKNO aka Forecaster Extraordinarie II
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Hi SMICKNO aka Forecaster Extraordinarie II
The passing of Lee Kuan Yew may NOT be a blessing for Singapore?
PLEASE TELL IT TO GOD!
The Fate of LKY now! is not on Singaporean Hands
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i think you guys are all giving MM too much of credit for the state Singapore is now, post Goh Chok Tong era. Look at the changes which have taken place since PM Lee took over. Any sane person cannot assume that all this is attributed to MM Lee. In fact MM Lee’s remarks are somethimes a road block for PM Lee’s progress. Come of it you guys Wake up. Don’t argue for the sake or arguing. The younger MPs need time to mature. China MPs can say what they want outside the politburo. but do they say anything at all in public? Has out opposition MPs done anything at all for the past 20 years? Can anyone tell me the achievements of Mr Chiam See Tong?
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Believe me this will happen at the demise of LKY -
The PAP will close ranks. They will bring into Government Goh Chok Tong, Dhanabalan and Tony Tan.
They have all the mechanisms that had been successful all these years i.e. the control of the legislative, executive and judiciary. The have the police and the army at their disposal as well.
If they are smart, they will start to unwind the more unpopular policies of LKY and start looking after the welfare of the citizens again. Singaporeans are by and large patient and if explained properly, they will maintain status quo and not rock the boat.
The PAP could start by allowing say 3 or 5 more single-seat constituencies. They put up more HDB apartments and reduce their prices; cut back on immigrations and increase the wages. The PAP will allow a few more opposition MPs into Parliament and probably have a freer regime – press freedom, debates, etc. These would make some Singaporeans happy enough to vote PAP again. In this way they will stay on again.
Tell me – they are on such a good thing – the Minsters, the MPs, the civil service, the military chiefs and the police Heads with high salaries and perks, would they give up??? Like they say, die, die they will hang on to what they got. So they will give up some things and relax some controls after all they have the Police and the Military behind them.
Singaporeans will have some more distance to go before the opposition are effective and able to do something. The more informed amongst us will see through the ‘wayang’. Regardless, we must vote more opposition MPs into Parliament.
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Hi SMICKNO aka Forecaster Extraordinarie II
“The passing of Lee Kuan Yew may NOT be a blessing for Singapore”?
TELL IT TO GOD!
LKY fate is not on Singaporeans Hands anymore!
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1. LKY is deeply involved in government. Without his input, Singapore will collapse in the face of challenges like China because the others have no input. Impossible.
2. A few oddball novices as ALLEGED by some BOASTFUL China officials are representative of all MPs. Anyone really believes these people who are successful professionals in their own rights and organisations are stupid and incompetent and unable to play “politics” or exert pressure? Incredible.
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Continue to suppress us, you think you can play GOD? We don’t want you !!! Yr the other half is gone…. hope you go too… soon. You really think our country will collapse without you ?? Maybe if really there is nothing left in the country reserve which you are 100% responsible cos none of us are allow to check you & your dogs. You stop us from thinking and want us to follow what you think is right. Good … so don’t fark it up & turn around to say we are also responsible for your farking mistake. I think you better don’t die and continue to work till 150 year old if our country reserves is wasted by you and yr dogs.
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@Devagi
Are you an Indian lady?
How come you think and write like a Chinese?
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True that it is not a nice thing to wish someone death. However, death will come anytime. The moment you are born, you are already dying. Life and death goes hand in hand. Some die in their infancy, some in their teenage years and most in their old age but death is certain. You say that the passing of LKY is not the solution cos it will cause problems BUT LKY will have to go someday too, whether people curse him or not. It cannot be avoided. Even I will die one day. So how? Clone him? Turn him into a zombie? We should not wish him death and let nature take its course.
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No one is indispensable and I will say, No One!
The only great piece of work that LKY has done in his years of office is in “brain-washing” the people of Singapore into believing that only the PAP and he himself can guarantee the future of our country. That, as we know today, is a whole lot of nonsense.
We are all Singaporeans, and if the PAP can govern Singapore, I can safely say with total conviction that the Opposition can do just as well and more likely, even BETTER than the PAP.
The PAP has to go, the sooner the better.
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GET OUT QUITTER! DON’T COME BACK AND STIR TROUBLE WHEN YOU CANNOT MAKE IT IN S’PORE!!!
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I still think that it is healthier for MM to pass away without seeing the dismay of a possible backlash at the next election.
Even he is still around for a freak election, as a hardcore and hardened politician, he will only make things worse with his strongman style which he will definitely not yield to the voice of the common people. He is just likes of Dr. M who had been in power for damn too long.
PAP now is just like KMT of Taiwan before the rise of Chen and needs to wake up and cleanse its scum filled body.
GCT is definitely not the next best choice to pick up the pieces and he does not have the support of the people and senior ministers. He did almost nothing during his term as PM. He was only picked as PM for reasons that we all knows.
The only choice is for Dr. Tony Tan to return to politics to overhaul the party and government which is now filled with yesmen and apple-polishers. Dr. Tan was liked by most people and had experience in many portfolios and who was also an ex-deputy PM.
I am hoping that Dr. Tan will come back to serve the country when there is a need.
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As many other people have pointed out, this article rests on pretty shaky assumptions, the main one of which is that Singapore will absolutely collapse without MM Lee. This is just cartoonish, almost like saying Singapore will collapse like Mordor once Frodo drops that ring into the fire. The current crop of leaders have had time to practice their craft for a couple of decades now. While it might be fair to say they do not dare to pursue too outlandish policies while MM Lee is around, it does not mean they have not been quietly shaping things in the meantime. MM Lee’s passing will probably give PM Lee a freer hand in pursuing his own ideas (good or bad I do not know). One thing I’ve noticed is that people don’t give the younger Lee any credit just because he is the son of MM Lee. Have you considered that he might actually have ability independent of his blood relations? In any case, when the elder Lee era passes, the younger Lee will have ample opportunity to prove that he is a leader in his own right. Failing that, someone else should take the helm.
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Hello all, the passing of LKY is NOT a matter of IF, just a matter of WHEN but as long as the presents batch of educationally rich but politically poor MPs still act blur and think that they know all, Sinkapore will be in shit upon LKY’s passing, not to the extend of a 100% collapse but it won’t be nice.
I reiterate that what is written are merely opinion of my own to encourage discussion and as some readers pointed out and agree to, the gist is still:
The main problem with the Lee Kuan Yew administration was that it did not put in place a credible team to succeed the Old Guards though it claimed so. Instead, Lee Kuan Yew continued to front the party and Singapore, particularly on the international level, even after the renewal of the Old Guards.
The current team of ministers and MPs was assembled to facilitate PM Lee’s career, if anything. The key difference between Lee Kuan Yew & the Old Guards, and PM Lee & the new team is experience. It doesn’t take much to see that the current pool of ministers are in it for their career. Can they lead? Do they have what it takes to engage their peers at the international level? Does PM Lee have what it takes to lead his ministers to deliver sterling performance?
I am afraid I have yet to see anything along those lines. All I have seen is Lee Kuan Yew engaging the world leaders and raising Singapore’s profile in an increasingly competitive world, while PM Lee and team, for lack of a better word, “fixes” problems back home, and problems they sure have and will grow with the passing of LKY.
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Only time will tell if the opposition or current batch of MP do not have the calibre as LKY.
I would have to agree with this post … but change is a constant relative to time … can only wait and see and hope
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The first acts of a new non-PAP PM after the next general election must be to arrest LHL and his cronies under the ISA. The GIC and Temasek Holdings should be independently audited and the results published in a White Paper. The current immigration policy must be suspended with immediate effect, pending a review of its consequences on the general population.
As for LKY, all his lies must be brought to the fore. Historians must be given unfettered access to declassified documents so that the truth can see the light of day.
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What kind of human will wish another ill-will? Many of the postings here smack of ignorance, hatred and delusion. No one needs to be loyal to, agree with, love, like or revere anyone but that does not mean one should go about demeaning another. Apply the Golden Rule – don’t do to another what you don’t want another to do to you.
There are many smart alecks who think they are better and can do better. If so, do. Making calls here however ‘noble’ are so just so base. I see many just talk. A baby can also talk. Talk is easy and cheap especially in a Internet forum.
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Ladies and Gentlemen…
I earnestly implore all fellow Singaporeans to exercise some compassion in times like this. This forum has become a hate mail section with personal curses and attacks.
FE II is just putting an assumption for all of us to digest and debate heathily as mature adults, as well as responsible Singaporeans. It is true that sooner or later, all of us will depart from this world and LKY is no exception.
For the benefit of all Singaporeans, have spirits like Caulibean, Chan, GoodCitizen, RDB, atobe, Tea Party Movement, Opera Estate, Serious Thots,…etc., (sorry to have just mentioned these few only due to space constraints) who speaks with sense, offers alternative views and make their voice heard for your digestion. They don’t attack anyone on their private lives or curse at anyone.
Where is the compassion of Singaporeans? Do you want your children to live a life without compassion? Is that how you want foreigners to views us as real GREEN HORNS and laugh at our naiveness, childishness and selfishness? Are Singaporeans that inhumane? Politics is cruel but facts are even much more cruel.
Think. Now is the mourning period for this particular Lee Family of Singapore. What if the person who had just passed away is your own beloved wife? Your beloved mother? Or your beloved sister?
May peace be with you, your family and love ones. Hatred brings about more hatred and will never end. Only solution is work towards peace and harmony, even with different ideologies. Be positive and strive with positiveness.
Let us temporary put this episode behind and reflect upon ourselves.
One Comes Empty Handed To This World,
And Don’t Bring Anything Along When Leaving.
What Matters Most, Is What You Have Left Behind,
Of the Love, the Happy Times and the Great Memories,
To Be Remembered By Eternally.
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@Forecaster Extraordinarie II: October 3, 2010 at 10:20 pm
//The main problem with the Lee Kuan Yew administration was that it did not put in place a credible team to succeed the Old Guards though it claimed so. Instead, Lee Kuan Yew continued to front the party and Singapore, particularly on the international level, even after the renewal of the Old Guards.//
*
It is not that LKY did not find a new team to continue the work of the Old Guards, which clearly show that his methods of leadership renewal through the PAP has failed.
He cannot simply choose leadership through a selective process of looking at academic qualifications, current career development, choose the candidate and put him through a “crucible of fire” – in the manner that he claimed he favored at the way the USA pick candidates to be astronauts – and hope to create leadership materials that are fit to takeover from the Old Guards.
It is not only the individual persons that are critical for to write the continuing story of Singapore into the 21st Century and beyond.
LKY has forgotten that Singapore will need to be build on a strong foundation that cannot be nit picked and tweaked by any incumbent political party that will favor its own political fortunes after coming to political power and control of Parliament.
As matters stand, the various institutions of good governance are “corrupted” – [for want of a better word] – when it depends on the continued existence of a strong PAP to be at the helm.
Through its dominance in Parliament, the PAP has changed the Constitution – (the foundation stone) – to suit its own political fortunes by denying the political space to Singaporeans and to the Alternative Political Parties, while it concentrates powers to itself and tie the hands of the President and the Judiciary through legislative processes.
The various institutions of government that include the Civil Service, the Singapore Police Force, and the SAF – have been politicized when the PAP plant their own Party Members as Permanent Secretaries to assist the Ministers, who are themselves Party Members.
The Government Linked Companies are all headed by Party Members as rewards for their years of loyal service to the PAP.
In so doing, the fabric of Singapore Society has been perverted by the deliberate pervasive presence of the PAP political influence – that should have otherwise been neutral for the long term good of Singapore.
Given the present status quo, when Singaporeans do decide on a change of government from continued PAP involvement, the New Government formed by an Alternative Political Party will have a full plate of “needles and bones” to be removed – in order to gain full control of the apparatus of Government, and be answerable to the people of Singapore.
Without a stable institution to ensure the smooth transition of the outcome of a legitimate electoral process, LKY has created a “hung” Singapore to guarantee the continued grip of himself and the PAP to the life lines that a “Government of Singapore” will need, so as to govern effectively – which are the Government Linked Companies, the Singapore Police Force, the SAF and the Judiciary – (not necessarily in this order).
This is the legacy that LKY has created after 51 years in power – (getting into the PM seat of a Self-Governing Singapore in 1959).
Should Singaporeans be grateful to LKY for such an uncertain future that is fraught with confusion and opportunities for conflicts ?
It is based on this setting that has motivated LKY to state that in the event of “a freak election result, the Army has to be called in”.
With his dirisive attitude towards Singaporeans, whom he see as DAFT and UNTALENTED, it is unlikely that he will call for the “Citizen Army” to settle a “freak election result”.
More likely, the “Army of Gurkhas” – which he depends for his 24 hour safety – will be called to resolve his fear of the “freak election results” that fuel his nightmares.
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You guys are idiots.
If Lee dies, Singapore will be screwed.
Do you think your neighbours will give a shit about your situation? No, they’re rubbing their hands with glee at the fact that the country which has made them look bad is going weak at the knees.
Lee IS Singapore. Period. And I don’t even like him. But that’s the truth.
You guys go on and on about Russia and China rising after falling and all that jazz but you forget you are but a small little island with absolutely NO resources and young Singaporeans who have no interest in politics or the world around them, content to guzzle on the distractions your Government has fed to you or just couch philosophise with your mouths full of pointless vitriol.
Those countries are large countries with plenty of people and plenty of resources. Of course, its only a matter of time before the dip rises to a peak, even if it takes hundreds of years.
But with Singapore, who will take up the monumental task of taking Singapore to the next level, your idealistic paradise? I think not.
Most of you haven’t even lived in other countries before and you bitch and whinge about Singapore’s inadequacies.
Great, you have an incompetent government – what are you going to do about it? Oh, yeah, just curse to death the leader who has given rise to the only country in SE-Asia and possibly Asia with relatively 1st world standards and infrastructure.
Have you ever lived in true poverty in Asia? I think not.
Have you even gone beyond just visiting Batam and Hong Kong?
Do you even know the consequences of Lee dying?
There will be absolute anarchy. You have no opposition to speak of, you have a country full of idiotic sheltered, idealistic Singaporean sheep who have abso-f-ckin’lutely NO idea a country is run, how to keep a Government in check, probably even HOW a Government is formed or supposed to function. Oh, and don’t forget, who can’t see beyond their noses because if Lee dies you guys are f–ked!
With no resources, friendly hostiles to dead hostiles surrounding you in the region happy to see you incorporated back into their countries or perhaps even just f–ked to death so that whatever is left of your finances and of course, your expensive infrastructure which they could not emulate despite having 10x more resources and people – why the bloody hell not? Free infrastructure without having to lift a finger, spend a dollar.
Your surrounding, noticeable poorer neighbours will be happy to help snuff out the competition ranging from a snotty ‘I told you so’ to perhaps even remote funding of rogue factions in Singapore designed to curb effective Governance.
Why do you think Africa is f–ked? Its because there are many countries which rely on its absolute poverty to keep its own economy humming. Its as simple as that, and Singapore is another kink in many countries arse to get rid of.
While all this is happening – who is going to create jobs? Forget that, who is going to keep your economy running (I’m not insinuating it should be Lee but obviously stability is needed to keep an economy afloat)?
Do you think you will be able to use your Maxonlines, take your stupid MRTs and visit your shopping centres, busy in your inane lifestyles – if there is complete anarchy?
Do you think the next election (if it even gets to that!) is going to come peacefully?
Do you think your families will be safe, ffs?
You don’t realise how fragile Singapore is. Its a small country without any resources, hostiles surrounding it – we’re not oil rich Brunei, we’re not resource rich Malaysia/(insert some other country), we’re not even rich in population (i.e. China/India).
There are few small city-states out there in this world which are rich, relatively developed and relatively stable.
You want to keep your standard of living? Are you willing to sacrifice that to have a good Government? I doubt so.
All it takes is just some idiotic crony to throw a wrench into the anarchy and it will be absolute bloodshed.
Just spread some rumour about Chinese people attacking a mosques or even as simple as saying something like ‘Send all the Malays back to Malaysia as they are (insert some accusation)’ and because of the heady mix of instability, fear and underlying resentment there will be a riot.
Remember Malaysia and Indonesia?
Short sighted idiots.
Use your brain before you curse others. If you don’t act now and dethrone the emperor pre-emptively instead of whinging you’re going to be in the next poverty-ridden Nepal/Bhutan.
Let’s see if your Maxonlines still work and your shopping centres still stand, then.
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lky has prepared his croonies well by paying them a hefty salary to ESCAPE when his time is DOOMED.
The Opposition will have a hard time starting from scratch renovating Singapore back to a new architecture.
BUT, IT IS BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!
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Singapore was already an vibrant city….busiest trading port in the east….has all essential infrastructures in place…..has most efficient colonial governing…etc, when Lky was still wearing short and playing sand and marbles !!
Please don’t be fooled by papies’ craps of founding father(farter)fantasy, story of fishing village to 1st world, full of craps !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvvhY6DtfZs&feature=fvsr
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if you look at it in the short term, then the writer may be correct.
However, if the govt were to “implode” as mentioned, it is also a good thing in the long run.
Its about time Singaporeans stop being ignorant and start getting to know whats going on in their country. Singaporeans need to mature and move on to the next level and fight for their rights. Having a very weak govt might just be what is needed to give the people that push to get more involved.
Afterall this is not the govt’s country… it is our, the people’s country.
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That’s right, I’d rather he didn’t die yet.
I want the PAP to be voted out and investigated first. I want all the closets opened and skeletons let out before LKY goes.
He cleverly “privatized” all our key infrastructure that were built with tax payer dollars. I won’t elaborate on “privatized” though, you go find out who runs all of these companies now and I don’t think anyone will be too surprised by all the close ties to one family.
If he, the one pin that holds all the pieces together, goes now all the parts drift away for good. We need all their dealings investigated and Singapore/Singaporeans reclaim all that’s ours first!
…then he can go.
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Its time all the Hidden Dragons and Crouchin tigers surface and take their rightful place in society . Take over singapore. We need a better leader. In the name of progress.
The time seems to be just right.
regards
Chen Zhen, am no east-asia weakling!
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@Asiangal,
o you even know the consequences of Lee dying?
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There will be absolute anarchy. You have no opposition to speak of, you have a country full of idiotic sheltered, idealistic Singaporean sheep who have abso-f-ckin’lutely NO idea a country is run, how to keep a Government in check, probably even HOW a Government is formed or supposed to function. Oh, and don’t forget, who can’t see beyond their noses because if Lee dies you guys are f–ked!
Don’t be silly. There will never be any anarchy. At most, S’pore SGX may drop a few pts, but it’ll recover…because there is still the PAP and/or its cronies’ government holding onto power. On the contrary, Singapore may even become stronger after LKY, because he may be the stumbling block to our current “self-serving” ministers and turning them into idiots, abhoring them from speaking their minds etc. and of course, when that day come, couple with a few more stronger oppositions to do the check and balance….Singapore & Singaporeans will thrive.
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to postMM
You are quite right. We have to open our eyes big big, to try to give LHL some credit for something, just something, which shows leadership and not following-the-band-wagon-claim-credit strategy.
I try. Yes. i can remember and respect just only ONE thing original which he did on his own passion and conviction (i believe so), :
when ng eng hen announced some changes in language education policy,LHL came out of the blue and held an almost immediate press conference to squash the education minister’s new proposal, to the extent ng eng hen became a fool some days later, he had to apologise publicly. I applaud and respect LHL for doing the right thing! Good work LeeHsien Loong.
but,,,
When there was Unprecendented flood in orchard road, LHL was no where to be seen.
When his father made a comment that engineering doesnt solve the floods in orchard road, LHL was no where to be seen.
When mas selamat escaped, LHL was no where to be seen.
When many people lost money, even through our national bank, LHL was no where to be seen.
PostMM, my friend, please sir, help me to open my eyes bigger, I am a naive frog, i admit. I like very much to see more great jobs such as the first one which i had mentioned above. I like to respect my own PM. Who wouldn’t? It definds your character too, because all are one gang of singaporeans! I like to be able to be dumbstruck when listening to LHL and say “WOW, why didnt we think of that before?”.
The situation is VERY bleak now. When LKY dies a lot of pent up tension and frustration need to be released, that could very well fuel Anarchy and mindless vengeful thinking. I suspect that within PAP ranks there are also power struggle going on, when the glue melts, you will see all the cracks and white ants.
Bloggers already are saying to open up the accounts and decalring “PAY BACK TIME” to pap. But what good does vengeance do to help build more and more investors and better standard of living.
AsianGal above had also written a pretty reasonable picture of the situation, and the way singaporeans are viewed by 3rd parties, has actually a lot to do with LKY, whether you know it, admit it, or beleive it, is immaterial.
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I think Singapore should be a real republic after LKY died. Meaning, LHL should be the last PM and after his term there shouldn’t be any more PM. The head of the state should be the president, like any other republic, but this time round it should be elected in a real election. I hope this will bring a better future for Singapore.
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it is my hope that there will be more capable, honest people will join politics and give the bunch of rotten eggs some food for thought. or they think that it is so easy to get fat salaries every month but pushing away responsibilities.
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@AsianGal:
October 4, 2010 at 7:33 am
Wow, lengthy post. I’ll keep mine short. You think he’s going to live forever? Your take on that please.
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I agree with Asiangal. If LkY passed away, Singapore will be screwed. Though I m very frustrated by the huge influx of foreigners n hate PAP wayang, but I feel LKY bring in more indians n chinese jus to protect us. Thats y he have to give in to india n china. If got a choice, if we got resources, I think LKY will not give in oso. Pple, dun forget we r surrounded by Muslims countries (Indo, Malaysia, etc). If no LKY, these countries will gang up n screwed us. See how they killed the Chinese in their countries. See how Malaysia dun supply water to us.
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@ Asiangal – Sinapaore will do well without MIW in control. We have many institution in place to handle the day to day function of administering the country and economy – these institution implements and execute policies that is determined by the government. The demand here on any government that runs Singapore and Singaporeans’ livelihood is for them to come up with, and implement policies that are for the GOOD OF OUR SINGAPORE – A SINGAPOREANS’ SINGAPORE!
As citizens, we have the right to vote in a government that serves the people and to vote out a government that enslaved her people. Citizens today is no more daft – we know what is good for us and what is not – most of us are well read and well travelled. We no longer just take MSM as the gospel; we are smart enough to search and find the truths
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@asiagal
singapore is bigger than one party OR one man. There will always be people who can run the country. Ability to run a country is not rocket science. Thru history, the UN, WHO, world Bank etc are all setup to help countries. similary, LKY was helped by these organizations to run the country. UN was setup after WWII to unite all countries so that no dictator like Hilter will attempt to take over the world!!!! There is a bigger world order than you think! Don’t be a frog in a well! During the peak of the financial crisis in the US , the Fed set aisde USD10 billion liquidity for Singapore to used after GIC/temasek loss more than USD40billion. Go read up on the investments in US banks and UBS. LKY even said it will 30 years to recover. On the other hand , if our reserves were strong why did the US put aside USD10billion liquidity for Singapore, I wonder! It is because of the huge losses by GIC/Temsek that prompted the US to standby liquidity????
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I think this article is excellent, and it does highlight the rather worrying issue on how singapore is going to be mentored continually after the demise of MM Lee…who else is a suitable mentor?
then again, MM Lee was only good for transforming Singapore from a third-world country to first world country. His thinking is still old. We need change, and the change is, we need first-world thinking, and MM Lee doesn’t seem to have any kind of first-world thinking for the modern country that is Singapore today.
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i think this article provides an insight which is not present in many other articles. and for those people who directly blemish the article, i would dare say that your thoughts are narrow and do not except points or criticism from others. though the writer is no longer a citizen of singapore, we should still take into consideration of his/her point. otherwise, we will be limiting our options.
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Life is not permanent for everyone. Whether you are rich or poor and powerful or a rag.
LKY is undoubtedly one of the greatest man on earth. It will be a great great loss if….
But I am sure Singapore will be able to prosper as long as PAP is in.
Is not that i don’t support oppositions. But at this moment look at their condition, I think they are not credible enough to rule Singapore.
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Even Gangster Lee has failed to nurture his own blood son to be good politician. So, on what rational do you think the other young papaya MP can progress under his leadershit. Sinkapore is facing management crisis.
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All young PAP ministers are “Yes Msn” Eunuchs, totally incompetent and having zero affinity with the man on the streets! Singapore can definitely do without them.
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If MM were to step down and not to be in the coming GE either by choice or by stroke in the change of his destiny at his ripe old age, what will happen to Singapore in the aftermath of between 6 to 12 months?
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Hand-picked MPs and ministers after sipping hot tea, and not put into the political grinder or put to the test of the baptism by political fire, do they have the fire in their bellies or will falter under pressure?
We wait.
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When the coast is clear, and the political pressure is released from within, how many will get off the fence to join in the political forays to tikum for the $13500 per month Parliament listening fee? Not peanut for a fee just to listen.
We wait.
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What will be MM’s final legacy for red dot?
Is time still on his side?
We wait.
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The ministers/MP are very obedience. All sing the same song. Without a leader like LKY.. it will be out of tune
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With the passing of the current stronghold party, no matter what happens next, definitely it will be EXCITING… be it for the better or worst, it is a new chapter for Singapore… History aint boring anymore… One day we will be sharing with our grandkids about this event, just like our grandparents shared to us about WW2..
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ALL U FREAKS HAVE NO BALLS PUT LKY LA LHL LA. DARE TALK MUCH PUT THE REAL NAME IF NO BALLS OR GUTS JUST SHUT YOUR STUPID COMMENTS TO YOURSELF DONT ACT LIKE A HERO OR CHAMP!
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I guess it’s not a matter of the lack of credibility but rather the way the PAP goes about putting the opposition down. We see it happening every GE. After the hustings, then come the lawsuits.
There are as many pro-PAP netizens out there as there are pro-opposition so why assume that Singapore will be able to prosper as long as PAP is in? It certainly didn’t happen overnight because it took 45 years for us to get from there to here. I’m sure if given the same amount of time for some of the more dynamic opposition parties, they too would be able to contribute to our Nation’s growth.
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Winds of change are coming. I can feel it. You can feel it. All of us can feel it.
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I dont think Singaporeans be any better off being lead by these young and politically inexperienced MPs with the passing of Lee Kuan Yew because the stragedies would be played by LHL.Not to forget the man will never step down until he dies.Since the Old Man is now slowing vanishing off he may never even life for another year ,there is no point cursing him on this forum.
Yes he may have done many bad things in his past for being a gangster with a sadistic political nature ; singaporeans need to forgive him for what he has done.hence, the sad thing is the opposition parties seems to be lacking with alot of in-balances to their portfolios.LKY will still be rebellious and correct in this coming election since most probably this election would be his last,he knows where are their weaknesses even 10% of his living brain cells has a huge impact.
Finally the old man seems to be not in a good shape recently;the press has not reported his condition yet nor was he around his beloved wife’s body at the ISTANA where our team went for a visit.
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@AsianGal: October 4, 2010 at 7:33 am
//If Lee dies, Singapore will be screwed.
Do you think your neighbours will give a shit about your situation? No, they’re rubbing their hands with glee at the fact that the country which has made them look bad is going weak at the knees.//
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What is the basis for such thoughts ?
Clearly, you have not seen how Singapore recovered through some of the worst events in Singapore’s History, which included – (1) the Japanese aerial bombardment for several weeks, before its invasion and occupation during WW-2; (2) the economic Maria Hertogh racial riots in 1950; (3) the Hock Lee bus riots in 1955; (4) the two consecutive racial riots of 1964 when Singapore was part of Malaysia; (5) the economic downturns of 1987 and 1997; (6) the effects from the economic slowdown caused by 9/11 WTC attack, SARS, Bird Flu, and H1N1 that began in 2001 through 2005; (7) the global banking meltdown that began in New York City in 2008 that saw Singapore losing US$100 BILLION; (8) the scandolous loss of other BILLIONS from failed investments by GIC and Temasek Holdings.
If Singapore can survived through all these events, you must be too inexperienced not to believe in your own ability to be able to stand on your own feet when MM LKY pass on from this world.
Obviously, you were not even born when SINGAPOREANS REJOICED even as LKY cried on national TV when he announced Singapore break up of the merger agreement with Malaysia.
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//Lee IS Singapore. Period. And I don’t even like him. But that’s the truth.//
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LKY IS only ONE MAN – and Singapore’s Reputation is not made by this SINGLE PERSON ALONE.
Singapore success from 1819 till 1957 was without LKY involvement, and during that 138 years of British Colonial Rule, Singapore was already a shining light that was already comparable to Hong Kong, and even exceeded that of other colonies that were founded earlier then Singapore. [1]
Singapore’s success is due to a combination of factors that did not include LKY full participation, as LKY’s own existence was dependent on the critical vote of confidence given to him by his Cabinet colleague – Dr Toh Chin Chye – when the PAP Central Committee had an even split vote that did not favor LKY. [2]
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//You guys go on and on about Russia and China rising after falling and all that jazz but you forget you are but a small little island with absolutely NO resources and young Singaporeans who have no interest in politics or the world around them, content to guzzle on the distractions your Government has fed to you or just couch philosophise with your mouths full of pointless vitriol.//
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There are other countries that are in worst situation compared to Singapore – especially Switzerland that has no access to open sea, landlocked in the Alps.
Still despite being surrounded by countries that compete with Switzerland without giving her any handicap, Switzerland has been able to remain MORE STABLE then Singapore during the global crisis of 1987, 1997 and the events between 2001 through 2006, as well as the Banking meltdown in 2008.
Singapore’s position is more favorable then Switzerland when Singapore is sitting on top of major sea and air lanes between East and West, and continue its good fortune that was founded by Stamford Raffles in 1819 that remains valid till this day.
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//Those countries are large countries with plenty of people and plenty of resources. Of course, its only a matter of time before the dip rises to a peak, even if it takes hundreds of years.//
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Every thing that goes up must come down, and if one work hard enough at it, whatever is down can always go up.
Educate yourself by blowing some balloons, and you will have already taken the first step in blowing some confidence into yourself.
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//But with Singapore, who will take up the monumental task of taking Singapore to the next level, your idealistic paradise? I think not.//
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Why will you want to ask “who will take up the monumental task of taking Singapore to the next level” ?
Did you not ask yourself if you should not be taking over the role from your generational peers that have trained you ?
If you have not learnt anything even in this TR Forum, then perhaps more experience should be drilled into you by others with more patience and willing to drill you.
What possibly can be an “idealistic paradise” for you ?
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//Most of you haven’t even lived in other countries before and you bitch and whinge about Singapore’s inadequacies.//
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Why will you assume that those whom you are addressing in this TR Forum “haven’t even lived in other countries before” ?
The one that is “bitching and whining” now seems to be a bitchy gal.
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//Great, you have an incompetent government – what are you going to do about it? Oh, yeah, just curse to death the leader who has given rise to the only country in SE-Asia and possibly Asia with relatively 1st world standards and infrastructure.//
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If you have no clue as to how to make the ballot work, and can only be familiar with the indolent use of curses – it is advisable for you to see the real effects when there enough curses made, it could just happen – as it is already happening.
Do you want to have a taste of the effects from a collective TR curse on you ?
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//Have you ever lived in true poverty in Asia? I think not.
Have you even gone beyond just visiting Batam and Hong Kong?//
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Why will you assume that others know less than you do ?
What possibly can be the basis of your thought process ?
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//Do you even know the consequences of Lee dying?
There will be absolute anarchy. You have no opposition to speak of, you have a country full of idiotic sheltered, idealistic Singaporean sheep who have abso-f-ckin’lutely NO idea a country is run, how to keep a Government in check, probably even HOW a Government is formed or supposed to function. Oh, and don’t forget, who can’t see beyond their noses because if Lee dies you guys are f–ked!//
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Which apocalyptic movie did you watch before writing this future scenario of a post-LKY future ?
Are you a Singaporean in the first place ?
If you are a Singapore, did you consider yourself to be one of the very rare and outspoken but undiscerning “idiotic sheltered, idealistic Singaporean sheep who have abso-f-ckin’lutely NO idea a country is run” ?
Prior to writing this horrific self-incriminating line, did you look too hard at the mirror and regretted ever being born in Singapore by your parents ?
From the senseless statements made, it is pathetically clear that you can hardly even see the tip of your own nose – let alone see anything with clarity that is further from your nose tip.
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//With no resources, friendly hostiles to dead hostiles surrounding you in the region happy to see you incorporated back into their countries or perhaps even just f–ked to death so that whatever is left of your finances and of course, your expensive infrastructure which they could not emulate despite having 10x more resources and people – why the bloody hell not? Free infrastructure without having to lift a finger, spend a dollar.//
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Were you pumped up on depressant while watching your favorites apocalyptic movie, or were you listening to LKY telling his favorite nightmare tales ?
Obviously, the billions spent on NSF and the SAF did not involve you – how can you even know what pride is all about ?
Have you no pride in yourself to begin with ?
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//Your surrounding, noticeable poorer neighbours will be happy to help snuff out the competition ranging from a snotty ‘I told you so’ to perhaps even remote funding of rogue factions in Singapore designed to curb effective Governance.//
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In your depressed state of mind, can we blame you for your favorite contradictions ?
If our “surrounding, noticeable poorer neighbors” exist around us, can they afford to “even remote funding of rogue factions in Singapore designed to curb effective Governance” ?
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//Why do you think Africa is f–ked? Its because there are many countries which rely on its absolute poverty to keep its own economy humming. Its as simple as that, and Singapore is another kink in many countries arse to get rid of.//
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Are you comparing Singapore highly developed infrastructure – which you had stated earlier – with your preferred view of “Africa is f-keed” ?
How did you manage such brilliance ?
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//While all this is happening – who is going to create jobs? Forget that, who is going to keep your economy running (I’m not insinuating it should be Lee but obviously stability is needed to keep an economy afloat)?
Do you think you will be able to use your Maxonlines, take your stupid MRTs and visit your shopping centres, busy in your inane lifestyles – if there is complete anarchy?
Do you think the next election (if it even gets to that!) is going to come peacefully?
Do you think your families will be safe, ffs?
You don’t realise how fragile Singapore is. Its a small country without any resources, hostiles surrounding it – we’re not oil rich Brunei, we’re not resource rich Malaysia/(insert some other country), we’re not even rich in population (i.e. China/India).//
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In your depravingly depressed state of mind, what does all this matter to you ?
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//There are few small city-states out there in this world which are rich, relatively developed and relatively stable.
You want to keep your standard of living? Are you willing to sacrifice that to have a good Government? I doubt so.//
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In your drunken state of depression, how would you measure what constitute to be “small” and can be considered to be “city-states” ?
What is the basis for you to doubt Singaporeans not prepared to make any sacrifices ?
Obviously, you are ignorant of the fact that Singapore can be where she is today is due entirely to the sacrifices made by all the past and current generations – which began with the generation of 1950s that gave their vote of confidence to an INEXPERIENCED Lee Kuan Yew and a PAP with ZERO track record.
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//All it takes is just some idiotic crony to throw a wrench into the anarchy and it will be absolute bloodshed.
Just spread some rumour about Chinese people attacking a mosques or even as simple as saying something like ‘Send all the Malays back to Malaysia as they are (insert some accusation)’ and because of the heady mix of instability, fear and underlying resentment there will be a riot.//
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Clearly you have forgotten “Singapore History” that despite all the most violent past, the SPIRIT of Singaporeans remain indominatable.
Singapore survived several racial riots and are more aware of the racial sensitivities today then in the past, do you seriously believe that Singaporeans of all ethncity are less sophisticated today and easily fall for such rumours ?
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//Remember Malaysia and Indonesia???
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What are the historical past concerning “Malaysia and Indonesia” that you would want anyone to remember ?
Do you even know how to use the lessons from the past to chart a path forward into the future that lead to common prosperity for all, or are you only capable of indulging in the narrow racialistic views and “beggar your neighbor” approach in politics and diplomacy ?
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//Short sighted idiots.
Use your brain before you curse others. If you don’t act now and dethrone the emperor pre-emptively instead of whinging you’re going to be in the next poverty-ridden Nepal/Bhutan.//
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Clearly, this nonsensical babbling has been written in your drunken state of “short-sighted” idiocy, which has led to such apocalyptic creativity revealing a depraved mind at work.
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//Let’s see if your Maxonlines still work and your shopping centres still stand, then.//
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Were you watching a re-run of the apocalyptic movie – “The Day AFter Tomorrow” [3] ?
It is obvious that you dozed off in your drunken state and did not know of its ending – that even if the passing of LKY is as acopalyptically havoc, Singapore will not stand still.
With prospects of a new and more invigorated environment, Singaporeans will find new confidence to grow the economy.
It will be similar to Singaporeans enjoying a breath of fresh air, similar to the day when the British Lord Mountbatten announced the end of World War 2.
It will be similar to the day, when Singaporeans rejoiced when LKY cried while announcing Singapore break up from merger with Malaysia !!!
SGX may even rise a few points, the political prospects for Singaporeans will look brighter, and so will the political fortunes of all Alternative Political Parties in Singapore.
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[1] Debunking the myth that Lee Kuan Yew “created” Singapore
http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/09/27/mm-gets-top-coverage-in-ukraine-media/
[2] The Man who made PAP and the Man who made Singapore
http://sgblogs.com/entry/part-true-founders-singapore/57078
[3] The Day After Tomorrow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T26WnJuE1kY
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Mrs Lee was instrumental as wife of LKY, together with LKY made what is Singapore today. A successful country. If not for them, none of you will be here today. LKY have Built a system that will stand the test of time. And exceptional family indeed!
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Gosh… it’s feels so good to be reading healthy debates from patriotic Singaporeans!
@atobe : I’m intrigued by your views. Though cynical, it also contains good digestive angles for thoughts. The article [1] you brought up is the best example and good reminder to all. Impressive research. At least some of us are upholding the genuine true spirit of Singaporeans and not become a GREEN HORN.
@AsianGal : Your comment are valid to certain extent but underestimates the loyalty and capability of true blue Singaporeans. Taking away those who are merely cursing and swearing into thin air, there are so many voicing out with credibility. Probably you’ve lost touch and don’t know the ground as well. Nonetheless, your comments are worth digesting. Keep it up.
I’m relieved that there are still true blue patriotic Singaporeans around. It is our responsibility to lead or show those naive or ignorant ones to contribute more positively, for the better of our country.
With credible Singaporeans, there will be a credible force and eventually, a credible Alternative Political Party. Seeing this happening, as of now and after MM Lee, I’m sure there won’t be any anarchy. Even if this Govt totally collapse, some confusion there may be. Unless if Singaporeans fight amongst themselves, elect another bunch of croonies into Parliament and get irresponsible people to govern our country, it will be destructive.
Yesterday, I accidently bump into Low Thia Khiang when he was doing his walk-abouts to rally support for WP. Even he had commented that immediate change (if happens in a freak GE result) of political party and our entire system to govern, is impossible and too risky. It will take time and every Citizens’ responsibility to make our country stronger. Inspite of differences in ideology, Singapore will go on and be stronger than before, with or without MM Lee.
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“So now, my Native Singaporeans, do you want compassionate Oppositions who are willing to risk their lives to fight for your rights for a better tommorow or highly paid PAP puppets to continue ruin your lives ?”
We should NOT be stereotyping the PAP or the Opposition. Even if SOME of them do not have Singaporeans’ interests at heart, we cannot stereotype them by saying that all of them are so. Same for the Opposition.
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Thanks… your leaders are a bunch of YES man cos you made them to be.Only you know the solution to all problem, others just shut up. Good, well done , now you groom all these brainless people to lead the country who you don’t even trust to go for single seat election. Thanks for having such fore-sight and thinking you will live forever. Luckily, nature will take it’s course & you will return to dust soon. I think the people of this country is more rational than you think. This country will be more dynamic when you & yr dogs get kick out.We want to see what is left in our national reserve & we want the truth. I do not trust you at all cos history has always been right – ABSOLUTE POWER WILL DEFINITELY LEADS TO CORRUPTION.
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LKY’s biggest FAILURE is the never ending speculations as to what would happen to Singapore when he is gone! Has anybody ever feared or questioned what would happen to any of the major democratic countries in the world should any of their incumbent leaders vacate office under any circumstances? No one is or should be bigger than the country!
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the author believes what a few china ppl says over some coffee break thingy.. on the first place.. how does china folks know about out GRC or MP system? Secondly, he obediently just =listen to what ever they say so willingly.. china ppl say our mp green or new you believe. Come on.. you sound like a professional yet your report is kinda lame and unbelievable.. anyway i agree with first poster. stfu if you have left Singapore. You are not a singaporean any way so what business does it concerns you? MM Lee had come a long way in bringing Singapore to the current state (be it success or not).
And to one of the earlier posters.. the opposition party in Singapore cannot make it. Come on.. the solutions or promises they gave are what the citizens want or desired so they can get the votes.. if they really fulfill all the promises Singapore will be gone within a few years.
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Why is the negative energy directed towards the PAP and most of the comments are so narrow in thought ? It will be good if those passing negative comments to visit some of the third world countries which do not have a strong government and experience what a country in shambles is like. Perhaps you prefer to throw rocks at police and participate in riots rather than contributing ideas on how to improve the country.
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“Perhaps you prefer to throw rocks at police and participate in riots rather than contributing ideas on how to improve the country.”
Well we’ve tried participating and contributing in improving our country but so far, nothing apart from a few nice buildings and a giant hamster wheel at Marina. Tell me more about this rocks and riots thing? You got my attention.
People will make themselves heard somehow. If those at the top don’t listen to words, then we must burn them (TM Abdul Malik) at the elections.
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Well done brave sir/madam,
You gave that whiney little **** a lesson in logic.
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@Zheng Shi.. no they can’t.. those govt basher are usually too farked up to get a proper life thus blaming everybody and everything.. so dun even expect them to go overseas.
The other group are those high and mighty who have money and education but powerless and blame the govt and everything but themselves.. these ppl will definitely not goes to third world country definitely but hide in australia, us or uk and continue to bash singapore govt via internet.
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@zheng shi – so, others are negative energy and yours is positive energy?
Why you asked that we compare ourselves to 3rd world country? Why not 1st world countries like S Korea, Taiwan, Japan, etc.
Whatever Singaporeans had achieved in the 1970 to 1990 period, it has been slowly destroyed during the period 2000 to 2010.
We are raising concerns here in the hope that we can play our part to stop Singaporeans from being destroyed. Singapore is for Singaporean – this is where we call home.
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Well…
What do you expect…
If old Adolf Hitler has kicked the bucket in 1938…all the “divisions” and “personal empires” he “personally” made, controlled behind the “scenes” and presided over in the Nazi party will have split into many “fight for each corner” or 5 halves in a hell out fight for their own “personal power” and self serving parasitical greed as usual…
Nothing new…there are many historical precedents for this…
Question is what LHL gonna do…your “paid” supporters…frankly “quite” a number of them are “eyeing” your position and what your dad has control over…
It is gonna be ugly.
Nuts.
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To zheng shi:October 5, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Who gives a shit about other countries problems…Singapore is not the US or China or some donkey kong country that has any justifiable reasons and what not to “interfere” or “control” over…
Singapore is Singapore.
Singapore is not Ghana…or Somalia or some other country…
Singapore is Singapore…and the people of Singapore is what makes Singapore what she is…
Only idiots will like to “create” the usual “scarey” cheap skate tactics to serve their own personal agendas…
So stop comparing other countries with Singapore…to each its own.
Nuts.
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hey zheng shi,
talk about minister pay, PAP compares to the highest paid CEOs in singapore
talk about housing, PAP compares to the costliest places around the world
now we talk about government, and you want us to compare to third world countries?
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Atobe – good insight as usual, betterest infact!
Asian Gal – you’re a product of typical brain washing of the PAP. You speak about going to poor countries, countries around us etc. Most Singaporean are well travelled and schooled, who doesn’t know that. But there are two types of Singaporeans. One being brain washed by the PAP over the years and still remains there, you are one of them it seems to me ( nothing personal here, just my view ) and those of us who have been brain washed too but managed to be enlightened by what is happening and I must say over come the fear factors caused by this brain washing. It is typical of regimes, and the PAP tactics are no different.It is no wonder they fear the likes of Chee Soon Juan, JB, Francis Seow etc. because they cannot be hoodwinked anymore. So to you, please grow up, politically. Mind you it would be the same with any other political party that will come along. This time Singaporean will react differently to them and will not be hoodwinked twice. The opposition know this too, and they will play a different game with us. The PAP had the chance to do with all the unhappiness over the last fews years but they missed the chance. So too bad for them. Will Singapore collapse, don’t think so, it would just rough for a few weeks or so, infact I think we will be a stronger and more matured people, bearing with the foreigners here. Mind you, I welcome them, but there are too many here, our infrastructure and social sturctures cannot cope with it. Please grow up and contribute meaningfully in your views ya.
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EH HELLO IF YOU GOT SO MUCH TO SAY WHY NOT TRY TO TAKE OVER AND MANAGE SINGAPORE? NO GUTS THEN SHUT UP LA. Eh over here talk so much crap, waste your time only. Do you even know the meaning of experienced? Puhlease la, if you’re THAT experienced then nobody still recognise you, so sad ah. Just mind your business and get a life la. Singaporeans this complain, that complain, everything complain, nothing appreciated la. We are not a country that has our own resources, but we have come this far. Thanks to all those diplomatic relationships, we are able to survive! We are a cup HALF FULL, not HALF EMPTY, of course we compare ourselves to those countries who are not so well off though they have existed WAY longer than we have. We have a centralised government, not those whose emplyees are biased. Look at Malaysia, emplyees biased, take citizen’s money, citizens get poorer and poorer, and you walk alone even at 6 in the morning, you get robbed, murdered, slashed. When in Singapore , you can even walk alone in the streets at midnight. So please appreciate what you have.
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Wanna try managing a country? Let’s see you try. The older generations paved the way for us yet we still dont see the light. Have you ever been taught appreciation. WE NEED A TSUNAMI RIGHT NOW. Can’t we see that we’re so much luckier than people in other countries-natural disasters, arson, robbery? You have mud in your cerebral cortex? Hello, how old are you? I bet students ten times younger than you know how to appreciate more. So suddenly CHINA popped into the picture-and as studentEM said, they’re existed so much earlier=ancient. Does EVERYTHING have to revolve around china now? WHO THE HELL CARES if the politicians there are better. We’re us, they’re them. Since you’re so in awe of them, i might as well get you a FREE TICKET and SEND YOU OFF.
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It’s been more than 25 yrs liao since Goh CT promised S’poreans a Swiss standard of living. He said in 1984 that we’ll achieve it by 1999. I waited and waited but till now already year 2010 liao and I’m still getting peanut pay and struggling with my everyday life.
How can the gahmen be collecting MILLIONS of dollars but not improving citizens’ wages? Whatever has happened to SM’s promise? We want our Swiss standard of living. Give it to us or CUT THE MINISTERS’ SALARIES!!!!!
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well… talking about students.. i posted the link of tr on the mockery comments of late Mrs Lee.. and even pri sch kids ask why you guys are so evil hahahaha. i see my point on the two categories of ppl here.. most are under the first category of complainants.
poor souls.
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Sure, Student H, I would like to try managing the country – if LKY would let me. As it is, he only lets people who bootlick him do it, and protects them while doing so – so I’m not surprised nobody else is willing to take the challenge.
Politics is something you cannot learn in school. Controlled politics, yes, but that counts in peanuts against the climate today. LKY goes, we only have CT at the most. All the other good ones, in the opposition or in the PAP, are either showing their age, or have health problems, or have been silenced.
I can only guess that LKY wanted his precious country to die with him. <_<
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@sturmtrupper
Thank you for being the perfect model of a narrow minded person who does not care about other countries. Everything is for YOU.
@Spambox
Learn something about benchmarking. Perhaps compare yourself with Sturmtrupper and determine who is narrower.
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@nomoredaft – we won’t arrive to where we are today if there was no comparison with 1st world countries.
@sturmtruppen – the perfect model of a narrow-minded cockcroach who lives in your little world and not care about what goes on the outside. So we don’t compare and I am sure you will still faithfull remain in Singapore even if we deteriorate into a third world country.
@spambox – why are you so jealous of minister’s pay ? Will you be singing this song if you are earning the same salary ? I doubt.
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To Student H:October 5, 2010 at 6:26 pm
Pity the fool…
Who only mutters about the glories of the past…and the adulation of past efforts…and the usual weak comparisons vis-a-vis those they deem the lower rungs or “weak” or “unlucky”…
Instead of looking forward…i see here someone only “whining” about the past rather then the possible futures that can be made…
But no…we have here a couple of someones always staring down at their own feet and muttering the usual “self defeatist crap” that without this or that or compare with this…we will lose…with that kind of “defeatist” mind-set…half the war is already lost…and all this before “going” into battle…
Nuts.
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To zheng shi: October 7, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Excuse me…do you see me stating you as an insect or some kind of animal…now pray tell what does that say about you as a supposed human being who can belittle others as “insect-like” or “animal-like”….is this the values of a human being…who resort to base animal calling to show how world wise he/she is?
You mentioned i don’t care about other countries…that is true i do not care…and why…because before you can care about other countries you have to care about your own FIRST…you must help your own country FIRST then you can “talk” about “caring/helping” other countries…
What is the point of caring about other countries when your own country is slowly and surely going to hell first.
If you are so “caring” about other countries and their problems..by all means…you can go and “help” these other “pityful” countries then your own country…as if these other countries don’t have their own patriots and own local born to “help” themselves…
It seems you still have a lot to learn…
Frankly speaking…all of us share common parents are the way to the dawn of humanity…whether of what color, creed and religion or race…all of us when cut bleed the same color red…there is a hostile universe out there which can’t wait to make man-kind extinct…
With more self serving or ignorant or “blinded” fools like you out there…i wonder what your kids or grand kids will say or “cursed” at the past and current generation that make “life” a living hell for them 10 – 20 years from now…
Nuts.
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@sturmtruppen – you little cockcroach in an eternal pit. You seem to have much time on your hands going round spouting shit – something which should be coming from your other end. Just pray that your little descendent cockcroaches will have food to eat in Singapore. Otherwise, hold on to your pride and don’t go crawling to other countries begging for food – just like you are begging for attention now. So what help are you IN NEED of now ? A position in the opposition and hope to earn the FAT pay that ministers are getting ?
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@ zheng shi:
October 7, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Are you still living in the Stone Age of multi-million paychecks and still never enough for some glib-talkers and no paychecks for the unemployed or in between jobs?
It is all dirty politics and STUPID economics to the extreme but with your ignorance displayed here, I don’t expect you to even comprehend first lesson in practical economics.
Stay in your cave and keep hallucinating about your dream multi-million dollar paycheck, no one else is that stupidly obsessed.
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@Anonymous – hmmm you are right I don’t comprehend what you are saying. Am sure all logical, sensible and sympathetic human beings cannot understand too. Only your breed will.
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@ zheng shi:
October 9, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Well you are wrong!!!. I write economic blogs read in financial institutions. So it is you and your breed that can’t and won’t ever comprehend what is STUPID ECONOMICS and DIRTY POLITICS.
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@anonymous – I am impressed. Now I know how the financial crisis came about. You must have great influence. Share your site.
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zheng shi:
October 9, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Here is where I blog.
http://global-economies-outlook.blogspot.com/
Working now on the draft of my next update as global events are unfolding very quickly. I am waiting for more US corporate results (the big corporate news already out are Alcoa and Samsung) and the next G20 meeting on currency “war” I forecast weeks earlier to share some perspectives.
You can, of course, disagree with my views.
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